Mr Punch

[aeolium]

As it appears that Mr Punch is 350 years old this year (at least on this island), I thought it would be worth having a thread to celebrate him in his various incarnations and to share any experiences of the Punch story. I recently saw and enjoyed this rather dark version at the Barbican, but I've also seen good puppet performances. The story also plays quite a part in Russell Hoban's dystopian novel Riddley Walker, and there are also the other European forms of the character such as Pulcinella and Petrushka. It's a shame though that it seems to be dying out as a familiar story within popular culture.

[Serial_Apologist]

The magazine came out again briefly about 20 years ago, salvaged by an Arab businessman, and I'm just glad I managed to salve a folderful of extremely funny cartoons before it went under, to keep me cheery in times like these.

One which really makes me laugh pictures identical pairs of besuited males descending on parachutes, and underneath, the caption reads: "Mormons descend on Poland"!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

http://www.punchandjudy.com/coventgarden.htm

... there is an annual P&J festival held in Covent Garden: great fun - I attended in 1994 as part of a marionette company.

[aeolium]

There are still a few beaches round the country where there are P&J shows - I saw one in Llandudno when we were up there a few years back.

The Theater-figuren Museum in Lübeck is well worth visiting if you are in that area. It has many puppets and marionettes from all over the world including quite a few versions of the P&J story. This short film gives a flavour of the place (you may want to turn down the sound):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXrjYMY4sH0

[cloughie]

There are still a few beaches round the country where there are P&J shows - I saw one in Llandudno when we were up there a few years back.

The Theater-figuren Museum in Lübeck is well worth visiting if you are in that area. It has many puppets and marionettes from all over the world including quite a few versions of the P&J story. This short film gives a flavour of the place (you may want to turn down the sound):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXrjYMY4sH0

I saw one at last year's Royal cornwall Show. I was a kid again.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There are still a few beaches round the country where there are P&J shows - I saw one in Llandudno when we were up there a few years back.

I saw one there, too: about six-seven years ago.

The Theater-figuren Museum in Lübeck is well worth visiting if you are in that area. It has many puppets and marionettes from all over the world including quite a few versions of the P&J story.

Smaller in scale, but closer to home (if it's still open!) is Mel & Connie Myland's Puppet Workshop in the martello tower on the seafront in Eastbourne:

http://business.virgin.net/puppet.workshop/index.htm

[french frank]

Weston-super-Mare beach, with Punch & Judy, candy floss and donkeys. Entertainment was simple and cheap in those days. I don't think I quite liked the Punch and Judy story though, maybe because Judy kept getting beaten up.

[amateur51]

Weston-super-Mare beach, with Punch & Judy, candy floss and donkeys. Entertainment was simple and cheap in those days. I don't think I quite liked the Punch and Judy story though, maybe because Judy kept getting beaten up.

You are not alone, french frank

My dad bought me a swazzle as a result of my bursting into tears on Rhyl Prom summer of 1955 (I was only 3 be fair!). I couldn't get the flipping thing to work, another source of disappointment for my dad

[Anna]

Weston-super-Mare beach, with Punch & Judy, candy floss and donkeys. Entertainment was simple and cheap in those days. I don't think I quite liked the Punch and Judy story though, maybe because Judy kept getting beaten up.

Or Weston-super-Mud as it's also known! Happy Days with an ice cream on the pier. I know someone who does Punch & Judy shows (and is a member of the P&J Fellowship) I did ask about the non-PC side of it and he tailors it according to his audience plus he tries to throw in topical quips. He does get a lot of bookings, mainly childrens' parties but also much in demand at the local ploughing matches!

[Serial_Apologist]

You are not alone, french frank

My dad bought me a swazzle as a result of my bursting into tears on Rhyl Prom summer of 1955 (I was only 3 be fair!). I couldn't get the flipping thing to work, another source of disappointment for my dad

Er, for those like me who didn't know...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swazzle

[amateur51]

Or Weston-super-Mud as it's also known! Happy Days with an ice cream on the pier. I know someone who does Punch & Judy shows (and is a member of the P&J Fellowship) I did ask about the non-PC side of it and he tailors it according to his audience plus he tries to throw in topical quips. He does get a lot of bookings, mainly childrens' parties but also much in demand at the local ploughing matches!

Do they have ploughboys at those then, Anna?

Not now Mr Housman, no!

[Serial_Apologist]

Weston-super-Mud

Now to be re-named Weston-super-Mayor...

I'll get me coat...

[amateur51]

Now to be re-named Weston-super-Mayor...

I'll get me coat...

[Anna]

Do they have ploughboys at those then, Anna?
Not now Mr Housman, no!

Of course they do Ammy! Ploughboys Aplenty!! Ploughing matches are great fun, there's a lot of skill in producing a perfect furrow and negotiating tricky bends Plus there's entertainment, beer tents, stick the tail on the ferret, all good fun, almost as good as the hedging and ditching competitions ...........

[vinteuil]

Or Weston-super-Mud as it's also known! !

... ah, Weston super Mud / Merde/ Mer, what memories of childhood you arouse! Yes, the donkeys, the mud, the punch'n'judy . It was the nearest "sea" side from our little Wiltshire village, and in various clapped out limos we strove to get there in the 1950s and 1960s when the weather was half way bearable, or even when not. However when we could afford cars that were a bit more reliable we ventured a leetle further - and found Studland and Swanage more salubrious. But no punch'n'judy there, and no donkeys as far as I remember...