ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr Punch celebrated his 346th birthday in style at The Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival on SUnday 11th May, in the presence of countless Punch and Judy Men, clowns, puppeteers and even a few of his foreign cousins!
Why Covent Garden?
Quite simply Covent Garden is the perfect place for us to hold our Festival and celebrate the longevity of Mr Punch, for it was here that Britain's best loved Puppet was first sighted by Diarist Samuel Pepys in 1662.
Pepys recorded in his diary, "very pretty the best that I ever saw".
A plaque on St. Paul's (The Actors Church), Covent Garden, commemorates the fact that Punch was first seen near this spot on 9th May 1662.
We welcome your interest
and support
BACKGROUND NOTES FOR JOURNALISTS
The Punch & Judy Fellowship (PJF) comprise a body of people (performers, academics & enthusiasts) who are keen to protect and preserve the traditions of the Punch and Judy show.
Their key aims are to improve education by encouraging and stimulating the public's appreciation of the history and development and puppetry skill of the Punch and Judy and to exhibit and encourage the highest standards of entertainment and performance.
History
The show has its origins in the Italian Commedia dell Arte (circa 1200) and has developed from a string puppet (aka Marionette) show, witnessed by Samuel Pepys, to the knock-about fun of todays hand puppet show. Its characters have been evolving throughout its 400-year history to include puppet versions of the famous Regency clown Joseph Grimaldi, the Robert Peel bobby, the infamously incompetent executioner Jack Ketch and the master of mischief, the devil himself!
Legacy 
Many authors and film makers have utilised the characters of the Punch show, perhaps the most famous being Tony Hancock's 1960's film " The Punch and Judy Man ". In addition Author, James Barrie may have been inspired by the sausage devouring crocodile to create the bane of Captain James Hooks life.
The Punch and Judy Show often give children their first taste of theatre and pantomime, an experience sadly often overlooked in today's computer age.
Political Incorrectness
Ill informed individuals, often seek to ban the show, citing the violence as a poor example to today's impressionable youth. Yet anyone witnessing an audience where the children collectively share their excitement by shouting their heads off, often upholding the virtues of right over wrong, can see how misplaced this notion is.
Seldom does an audience go away traumatised by the experience; smiling, laughing and talking about the fun, is importantly the order of the day. Children know the difference between fantasy and reality, these are only wooden headed comic puppets and children, whilst being drawn into the action, know that they are living in a world of make believe.
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Glove Puppetry
Glove puppets are good at: picking up items, - in theatrical language ' props ' - kissing, moving quickly - the puppet being a direct extension of the performers arm, waving and nodding etc.
It is these attributes that distinguish a hand puppet play from other forms of the art, such as shadow puppets, string puppets, vent dolls, rod puppets etc., Consider the Muppets, these loveable boggle eyed furry creatures no violence issues here surely? And yet who can forget the famous pork chop of Miss Piggy's right arm!
It is this direct action limitation of the hand puppets skills that has led to the Punch and Judy show of today. Static hand puppets such as the dolls used by Punch Professors cannot talk, requiring the audience to imagine the reactions of these fixed grin 'players' and yet a good show will enthral and excite even the most adult of children.
To Close 
Britain should be proud of its Punch and Judy show. Our European partners all have their own variants on the age-old morality play but none as good or successful as ours.
Punch has been an excellent ambassador for us all, often representing Britain at Trade Fairs, foreign conventions and Political gatherings. Without him and his little show, life would be a little bit greyer.
Punch is part of our national psyche representing the underdogs struggle against overpowering authoritarianism. Punch is as British as Fish and Chips!
But don't take our word for it, watch the children and ask them what they think about it!
POLITICALLY CORRECT?
FORGET IT!
Charles Dickens loved Punch & Judy Shows and wrote...
'In my opinion the Street Punch is one of those extravagant reliefs from the realties of life which would lose its hold upon the people if it were made moral and instructive.
I regard it as quite harmless in its influence and as an outrageous joke which no one in existence would think of regarding as an incentive to any kind of action or as a model for any kind of conduct .
It is possible, I think, that one secret source of pleasure very generally derived from this performance, as from the more boisterous parts of a Christmas pantomime, is the satisfaction the spectator feels in the circumstances that likenesses of men and women can be so knocked about without any pain or suffering'.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Mr Punch is sometimes accused of being politically incorrect and the odd Council has tried to ban the show and attempts have also been made to ban a Punch and Judy children's book. But the British public has given Mr Punch overwhelming support and prevented this from happening.
Nevertheless questions are still asked and the following light-hearted answers are offered by two of our Members - Bryan Clarke and Geoff Felix.
How does Punch square with 'Victorian Values'?
Charles Dickens had the answer: "Street Punch is one of those extravagant reliefs from the realities of life. I regard it as quite harmless and an outrageous joke."
Does Punch encourage violence?
Mr Punch no more encourages violence than Goldilocks encourages squatting.
What about the stick?
The difference is that Mr Punch's stick is a slapstick. It's specially constructed to make a slapping noise, this led to the term 'slapstick comedy'.
Don't you think it's wife bashing?
Not at all and no child of a Punch and Judy man has ever grown up to be violent and they've seen hundreds of shows.
Should Punch & Judy shows be banned?
If that is the case, so should Shakespeare, the Bible and Tom & Jerry cartoons!
Do Punch and Judy men still use the black man in the show?
Do you want to ban him as well?
So what about the violence?
It's the way you do it. If you add an element of comedy, which you should, together with the correct timing, this makes for a traditional,
entertaining show in the slapstick style, and that's what children love.
Will Mr Punch go on forever?
Well after 400 years he's still going strong, so yes it looks as if he will go on forever.
Do you think there is too much violence on TV?
Responsible parents watch TV with their child and know where the off button is located.
Does Mr Punch always defy political correctness?
Punch has adapted to the times he lives in, but an important part of the show is that he defies and overcomes the frustrations people feel as represented by his opponents. He does this on behalf of the audience.
Is Punch & Judy a children's show or an adult one?
We're all children at heart.
Does Punch encourage people who are naturally violent?
Banning Punch would be like banning wine gums because there are alcoholics in the world.
Aren't some children frightened of Mr Punch?
Some children are afraid of clowns, shadows on the wall, doctors, dentists, animals and even Anne Widdicombe! But seriously, it could be the atmosphere of excitement or noise. We recommend showing the child the puppets in repose and explaining what is happening.
What about the critics of Mr Punch?
We are making puppets of them as we speak!
Why do you do Punch and Judy?
How else can we pay for the big house and the Jag? Seriously though, to hear the laughter and shouts of the audience young or old, is pure magic.
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