Author : ronwooduk, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Newcastle,Sunderland,Durham,Teesside,York,Harrogate,Leeds
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PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW
Children’s Entertainment For An Event Or Party
Party entertainment, see also Magic, Clown, Punch and Judy,
Line Dancing, Hazel’s Jolly Good Fun Party, Circus, Face Painting,
A Short History of Punch and Judy
During the seventeenth century marionettes were very popular. Italian showmen came to England to perform their shows which were miniature versions of the full scale operas that were all the rage in fashionable society. The casts of these shows consisted of a series of stock characters one of whom was a fool called Punchinello. This comic character was well liked and would appear in most plays. He was dressed in all white.
By the eighteenth century marionettes had gone out of fashion and English showmen were using glove puppets. They retained Punchinello in the cast but changed his name to Punch. They also abandoned the original white costume if favour of the red tunic of the English Jester. Thus Punch as we know him today was born.
Material for the shows performed by the earl showmen came from varying sources. Some were taken from well known myths and legends such as St George and the dragon. Some were based on historical stories going back to Greek and Roman times. Others were drawn based on the works of Shakespeare or Comedia Del Arte. Punch could make an appearance in any of them !
By the nineteenth century Punch had become the main character of the show and the the storyline was resembling the kind of format we know today. Punch and Judy could be seen on street corners, village greens and fairs around the country. The showmen would move their shows from place to place using a barrow which they would push by hand. They made their living by collecting money from the crowd and usually they had an assistant called a “bottler “ whose job it was to gather an audience and make collections.
These shows were watched mainly by adults and could be quite bawdy and anarchic.
The industrial revolution changed the face of Britain. Factories were built. The population expanded, the nation became the power house of the empire. With this new found prosperity and the arrival of the steam engine came seaside holidays. Wealthy victorian families and the working classes all wanted to go to the seaside to have fun. Of course Mr Punch was waiting to greet them ! The Punch and Judy Show became an essential ingredient of any seaside holiday together with donkey rides and ice cream. Every seaside resort would have at least one resident Punch “ professor “ and sometimes several performing shows on the beach throughout the summer season. Wealthy families returning home also started to hire Punch and Judy Shows for children’s parties which would be held in the drawing room of their large houses.
Punch remained at the seaside entertaining generations of children until the advent of cheap package holidays to Spain in the 1970’s took away his livelihood. With drastically falling numbers it was no longer viable to make a living at the seaside.
Today most Punch professors perform at children’s parties working for a fee. Punch can also be seen at Council and Corporate Events, Fetes and Galas. Punch is seen as primarily children’s entertainment but it was not always so. Even in its present form the show is appreciated and enjoyed by adults. Some older people find the show nostalgic and it reminds them of their childhood and seaside holidays.
The Punch and Judy Show is a wonderful tradition with a long and interesting history. A good show performed well to an appreciative audience is a delight to behold. Punch is part of English folklore and even today is still fantastic entertainment !
Music composed and recorded by Daniella Wood
Here are some comments from younger children when asked what they liked best about the Punch and Judy Show...
Mr Punch has a funny voice.
I liked the ghost!
I like the bit where the crocodile bit Mr Punch’s nose.
The clown was funny.
When Punch says “ walkey walkey walkey “
I liked it when Punch was hiding from the Policeman
Judy looked funny because she has a great big nose.
When the baby goes backwards and forwards.
It made me laugh when Punch and Judy danced.
I liked the one with the long neck.
Ten reasons why you should choose to have a Punch and Judy Show :
- Children LOVE Punch and Judy ( always have, always will )
- It appeals to a very wide age range.
- People know what it is “ Oh look, it’s Punch and Judy “ they say with a smile.
- The show can play to ANY size audience no matter how big or how small.
- The booth can be set up in a small area, indoors or outside.
- It brings back fond memories of holidays past for senior citizens.
- Everyone can join in and sometimes the adults shout louder than the kids!
- It’s the longest running puppet show on earth so it must be good.
- It’s great fun to listen to and great fun to watch ( children want to see it over and over if you let them )
- It’s simple, colourful, lively, witty and all round GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.
A few words from Punch and Judy Man, Professor Ron Wood
“ I love to perform Punch and Judy. The show has so much history, I feel like I’m helping to keep a great tradition going, it’s part of our folk heritage. I love the audience reaction and the feedback and compliments afterwards. It’s very rewarding. “
Prof Ron Wood, Punch And Judy Man based in Richmond, North Yorkshire
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