The Punch & Judy Show
Introduction to the Show
“That’s The Way To Do It” cries Mr. Punch to his Professor Paul Jackson, for he certainly knows it is! Our modern take on The Punch and Judy show has evolved from the first time we met him, on the beach at Filey, to the long-standing and permanent ‘pitch’ at Chessington Zoo, Surrey.
Puppet’s, for my fellow children, were originally made from the colourful souvenir book sold by the Zoo but at my 13th birthday party, I was gifted a real Mr. Punch (courtesy of The Supreme Magic Company) and following several training sessions with the then leading performers of Punch and Judy; Mr. John Styles, I have been out entertaining audiences in London, Berkshire, Kent, West Sussex, Hampshire and of course, Surrey, ever since. My most treasured memory, was performing as a giant Mr. Punch for the late Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Punch's temporary theatre, should adapt to suit all age ranges, venue or audience types, that a good Professor is booked to entertain from. With three theatres to choose from, Paul Jackson is equally at home, at a private party, community event, fetes and fairs, at the seaside (Southend-On-Sea, Essex’s pier) or on the beach.
paul's 'Show' starts with a unique warm-up routine, customer’s then, often, join their children, on the ground-sheets provided. Their participation and reactions form an integral part of the shared experience. It’s not only the children that laugh, scream, or cower; the other family members are required do so too !
Amplification, authenticity and puppets of the most individual and striking kind; enhance everyone’s experience. Whether at London’s premier venues or Royal Windsor’s Flower Show, you’ll find our Punch and Judy are always fighting to survive, but it’s your contribution, the audiences' that keep the show alive.
Today's Show
A couple of minions warm up the modern audience before the show begins. Then a countdown to build anticipation. A monkey appears, tasked with preparing the stage and the poor Punch and Judy Man ‘accidentally’ gets a face full of water. No one was expecting that!
Mr. Punch arrives bouncing around resulting in a pretty peculiar shark impression. Then Judy insists she performs her Can-Can. Now it's the baby's turn, and Mr Punch takes his baby-sitting duties all too literally. It requires an attentive audience to alert Judy to the faux pas. Judy's concerns are initially dispelled when Mr Punch, in fatherly manner, starts teaching the baby to walk - right out of the booth!
As things get further out of hand, the policeman is called. He promptly enlists the crowd to become deputies. The policeman, while arresting Mr. Punch, cautions "I shall take down everything you say...". Mr. Punch's response of "trousers!" hails from a master Punch man of the 1950's and is retained as a nod to tradition - something old, something new, something borrowed but nothing blue!
The Ghost routine may follow or perhaps Judy brings on some sausages, which tempts the crocodile to the stage. The crocodile - as in Peter Pan's story - soon spies a much bigger and possibly tastier lunch.
Luckily a doctor is on-hand to perform the kiss of life on Mr. Punch who recovers sufficiently to hear Beelzebub’s off-stage cry: "I’m coming to get you". Who will win this age-old struggle? Will King Charles make an appearance? Why is "bye-bye baby" an appropriate closing theme? You’ll have to book us to find out!