My-Story - Paul Jackson's History
Paul Jackson and Punch
Introduced to Mr. Punch on the sands in Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington, my fascination with Punch & Judy was nurtured by performing shows using hand-drawn cardboard cut-outs of the characters. On my 13th birthday, in 1975, I received my first professional Mr. Punch puppet.,
Supplier, The Supreme Magic Company, also supplied a text book: ‘Hallo Mr. Punch’. Its teachings are still valid but even then, way back in 1962, his advice regarding the hanging scene was to “cut it out.” Never the less, the standard set of Punch and Judy Puppets ‘he’ and others supplied, tended to include a hangman. So, in my early career, the hanging scene was included – but no more.In my current show though, I still use a line from the book. When P.C.99 says to Mr. Punch “I’m going to take down everything you say” Mr. Punch retorts “Trousers!”As my prowess as a Punch Professor grew, so I was booked to perform at the Palaces of Westminster. The elected M.P.s got a taste of what we considered political correctness! The local newspaper produced a double-page spread on me noting I was ‘As pleased as Punch’ with the booking.
The swazzle’s (the ‘secret’ vocal gimmick) used to make Mr. Punch’s squeaky voice, is considered a must by those in the profession who consider themselves proper, traditionalist Punch performers. The profession embraces diversity. Anyone who decides to put their hand in Mr. Punch’s glove, provided they show him respect, are welcomed. After a suitable apprenticeship and audition examination, I was enrolled into the hallowed ranks of The Punch and Judy Fellowship. Festivals in The Covent Garden Market place, The Actor’s Church, Bedford Street, London, Lincoln and Morecambe, Lancashire followed.
Differing venues, and age ranges, demand shows suitable for the moment and so my collection of puppets grew. For example, we can perform the boxing match, ‘ride’ Hector the Horse as he throws Mr. Punch, see Dog Toby bite Punch’s nose, or we get a visit from a snake charmer and/or Father Christmas.Married, my lovely wife Kathie, assists, criticises and keeps me on the right side of the line (whisper it… she’s also Mo-Jo Monkey!).The show is a puppet play, live entertainment, drawing on the tradition that is English Nonsense. It is often youngsters' first real taste of theatre. The drama, can evoke the full range of emotional reactions. Any expectations ‘you’ may have about the suitability of Punch's show, will be over-turned by my performance!My birth year was an auspicious year for Mr. Punch, he celebrated his Tercentenary. The event was commemorated in 1987 and again in 2012. Eagle-eyed researchers will see me in the mass-gathering event photographs, one of which resides in The Guiness Book Of World Records. My initials are: PJ, so I guess it was pretty well preordained that Mr. Punch and I would have a successful future together. So, echoing Mr. Punch’s triumphant retort: “That IS the way to do it!”