Icon of Ventriloquism Closes his Doors

Seattle, WA, April 14, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Good Friday won't be so good this year for the close-knit community of Magicians and Ventriloquists as Maher Ventriloquist Studios of Littleton, Colorado closes its doors for good on April 14, 2006. The studio will call it quits so long time owner Clinton Detweiler can retire. His retirement is long deserved, but it's a big blow to the ventriloquism community at large. Maher Studios is one of the most recognized names in ventriloquism and its pending departure has some concerned for the future of the art. Figure makers like Keith Lovik of LoviksPuppets.com think that the impact will be greater than many realize. "Maher Studios is the forefather of the 'vent' community and they leave a tremendous legacy. Their absence will be deeply felt, not just to the community, but its accessibility to those outside of it."

Started by the Maher Sisters in 1934, Maher Ventriloquist Studios mail order course soon became the #1 selling ventriloquism course in the country and has stayed there for 70 years. Purchased by Mr. Detweiler from Madeleine Maher in 1969, it became an institution and has carried the torch for the art of “Gastromancy” ever since. Clinton Detweiler started as a ventriloquist in the late 1950s. Soon he began to build his own figures and eventually to sell them. He has inspired thousands of ventriloquists with his books and tapes teaching the art. The closing of Maher Studios represents the end of an era and leaves a vacancy in the world of ventriloquism and magic.

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