Punch & Judy – British Icons
If you’re an American older than thirty five, you might remember “Kukla, Fran and Ollie”. It was an American TV show featuring puppets and it was entirely ad-libbed. Initially targeted toward children, the show grew to have a large adult fan base. I used to watch re-runs every Saturday morning as a child, at least until the late 1970′s when they stopped airing. What I didn’t know at the time was that the design and creation of “Kukla, Fran and Ollie” was influenced by an English puppet show called Punch and Judy.
The first Punch and Judy shows were based on an Italian tradition called Commedia dell’arte, which means “comedy of the artist”. This new type of comedy was first introduced in England in 1662 with some of the first performances recorded in the Covent Garden area of London. Punch and Judy shows hit their peak of popularity during the mid- 1800s with performances found in seaside resorts, local fairs and the streets of London.
The British Punch, known as Mr. Punch, wears a jester’s costume, has a hunchback and a crooked nose. He speaks in a squawking voice, an effect made possible by the use of a instrument called a swazzle. Mr. Punch carries around a big stick, which he frequently wields at other characters, including poor Judy, his wife. Over the years there have been complaints made about the violent nature of the show and concerns expressed about its influence on young children. But others argue the show teaches children valuable lessons, as Punch frequently misbehaves and suffers the consequences. In fact, children in the audience often take up the role of parent, scolding Punch when he denies his misdeeds with a resounding “Oh yes you did!”. Despite the criticism, Punch and Judy shows can still be found in Britain, Canada and now the United States.
Watch a Punch and Judy performance.
Punch and Judy plaque in Convent Garden.
