Book Launch – Shadow Woman – The Extraordinary Career of Pauline Benton

The Extraordinary Career of Pauline Benton, by Grant Hayter-Menzies, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2013

Published in 2013, this book tells the never-before-told story of Pauline Benton, Red Gate Shadow Theatre Director and first female master shadow puppeteer in the world. Author Grant Hayter-Menzies will tell us more about the life of this exceptional but reserved American artist. He will present personal accounts as well as rare documentary film footage (The White Snake, 1947) and an audio excerpt (rehearsal tape of Pauline in performance in 1971 with composer Lou Harrison and the Chinese Music Ensemble musicians). During the book launch, the public can peruse historic Beijing-style shadow puppets from the collection of the late great shadow master Cui Yongping.

Grant Hayter-Menzies lives in Sydney, British Colombia. He is the author of several biographies including Imperial Masquerade: The Legend of Princess Der Ling, The Empress and Mrs. Conger: The Uncommon Friendship of Two Women and Two Worlds, both published by Hong Kong University Press.

See New York Times article on the Cui Yongping Shadow Play Art Museum.

This book launch is presented in collaboration with McGill-Queen’s University Press and Olivieri Book Store.

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