Punch & Judy
Punch was born of a classic character of European dramatic arts, dating back to the Renaissance's commedia dell'arte. The woodcut above shows Pulcinella being performed to attract prospective "snake oil" customers.
The play, Punch & Judy, is an English variation which appeared as early as the time of Samuel Pepys, who wrote a review of a show in Covent Garden.
The story varies over time and from one puppeteer (called a "Professor") to another, but the basic outline is the same: Punch can not be defeated.
The Tinker Taylor Version
Punch, Judy & the Baby
Punch vs. the Croc
The Cast of Characters
Punch
Two of the Professor's Punch interpretations
Punch comes from the character originally known as Pulcinella. He represents the “Trickster” figure found in the mythologies of many cultures. But once he arrived in Great Britain he transformed from a marionette in epic plays and became a hand puppet combination of the great Commedia dell Arte style and the British Court Jester, as seen in the proscenium of the Tinker Taylor Puppet Stage.
On May 9, 2008 Punch celebrated his official 346th birthday. He's very lively for his age.
Judy
Long-suffering Judy's name has changed over the centuries. It was once “Joan “ used by servant girls that carried water jugs on their heads. Joan literally meant “Jug Head”. It is believed that when the present, distinctive voice of Punch, came into fashion the sound of Joanie was heard as Judy and the name stuck.
The Baby
The baby completes the family unit and provides many antics to entertain adults with some of the frustrations of parenthood.
The baby spits!
And this baby is frustrating. How many parents have felt like “throwing the baby out with the bath water” or out the window? We know we mustn’t do it. But to see a puppet behave so ridiculously relieves our tensions and creates laughter at the absurdity of the actions.
The Bobby & the Hangman
The Bobby was the original punishment but as Punch overcomes one obstacle after another more severe punishments are required.
Thus the hangman became the ultimate punishment until the public enjoys seeing him tricked into hanging himself.
As that went out of fashion, another comeuppance for Punch was necessary.
The Devil
The devil is the ultimate punisher. But, the public insisted on seeing the devil outsmarted. Who wouldn’t want to thwart the devil? Ever since Faust, the public has been fascinated with keeping the devil from "getting his due!”
The Crocodile
If a crocodile eats you, that must be the end.
But wait! If we clap loudly enough,
we can bring Punch back for another show. After all, we like to see a wooden knuckle-head like Punch
triumph over adversity which reassures us that we too could be saved under seemingly insurmountable conditions.
Punch -- after all his wrong doings
-- is us, our alter egos. He is the anti-hero we see in ourselves, our secret selves that we
don’t let others see.
The Stage
Known as a "fit-up", the stage is important to the performance. It's designed to be easily moved from place to place. Drapes on the lower portion conceal the puppeteers, allowing the audience to concentrate on the action.
The Company
Emily and Carol Taylor have been puppeteering for several years since their early teens.
- Carol was awarded the coveted Francis and Mike Oznowics Scholarship. This award is given
once every two years by Frank Oz in remembrance of his parents to encourage young puppeteers.
Carol attended the Puppeteers of America convention at Tahlequah University in Oklahoma.
- Emily Taylor studied Punch and Judy and learned a specialized voice
technique from Glyn Edwards, famed British Punch and Judy Professor, at University of
Concordia in Minnesota.
- Professor Charles, is past president of the Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry and is the Right
Reverend Punch Professor, Tinker Taylor. His Masters is in the Interdisciplinary Arts with a
specialization in Puppetry, the first in the United States. He has taught puppetry at
California State University at Long Beach, Fullerton, San Diego, Talhequah, and many others.
Professor Tinker is a life member of Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi. He started his teaching
career in 1962 and retired from teaching June 2008. to continue Puppeteering.
- Elaine has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art. She is an excellent seamstress and is a great director.
See our brochure
Other Companies, Other Versions
They demonstrate the variations in Punch's manifestations. Clicking any of the YouTube video links will also get you a list of others. Click here.