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Punch and Judy are the most famous puppets of all time and a delight to Eurioean children for centuries. An interesting glimpse of 19th and early 20th century boys' clothes is available by viewing the many images of the ubiquitos Punch and Judy shows. Most images of Punch and Judy shows come from the early 20th century, in fact the orgins go back to medieval Europe. In the days before movies, radio, and television they were a special treat for the children. They have not entirely disappeared, but are not nearly as important as in the past.
Punch and Judy shows were popular mobile puppet shows with a venerable history. The fondation was laid in Italy (14th centuries. This led to the Commedia dell’Arte (16th century). It spread to France and other neighboring countries. The puppets are still dressed in the traditional garb of Renasiance Italy. The shows were imported from France to England where they received widespread popularity. Punch and Judy first appeared in England during the Stuart restoration in the 17th century. Cromwell's Commonwealth looked on entertainment as sinful and closed the
theaters. With the return of the Stuarts and Charles II, entertainments of all sorts returned in fashion to the great pleasure of the people. [College] An early reference to Punch and Judy shows in England was an entry in Samuel Pepys celebrated diary. The first such entry was on May 9, 1662. He wrote that he was 'mighty pleased' by an Italian puppet show near St. Paul's Church in London's Covent Garden. Punch and Judy at this time were not specifically for children, but were adult entertainment. The original Punch and Judy were marionettes, manipulated by strings. This required somewhat elaborate set up. Punch and Judy continued to be popular througout the 18th century. By the avent of the 10th century, however, major changes were taking place. Marinettes were being replaced by habd puppets. This both simplified the operation and reduced the number of peoole needed. One pupeteer could operate two hand puppets. [College] It also allowed for a bit more violent action--important in many Punch and Judy plots. The shows were given in city streets and public spaces by strolling puppet players or puppeters, gradually diring the 19th century they developed into popular entertainment for children. They became an accepted part of outings to the seaside for the children. No visit to the beach was complete without a seaside Punch and Judy show. We rather suspect that the advent of television in the 1950s was a major reason for the decline of the traditional Punch and Judy shows. They have not completely disappeared. A few Punch and Judy shows continue to this day.
The chief characters of each play are Punch (Guignol in French), a short, thick set, hump-backed puppet with an enormous hook nose, a wide mouth, a long chin, and wearing a three-pointed cap. Punch is accompanied by his wife Judy and their dog Toby. The play is a broad farce consists chiefly of a series of violent quarrels between the squeaky-voiced, boastful, and simple minded Punch and his disobedient, willful wife. The puppets are moved by hand which is concealed by the puppet costumes.
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I am not sure of all the foreign language terms were for Punch and Judy shows. " Guignol ," was the French version of Punch and Judy. The French also say " Polichinelle ". I am not sure what the distinction is in these two terms. The German Term for this is " Kasperletheater ". The Greeks say " Karagiosis ". " Pulcinella " was the term in in Italy. " Casper " is also used in Sweden, similar to the German term. " Karagioz " is used in Turkey, similar to the Greek term. All of these translations refer to the makle character--Punch. For some reason only in England does Judy get equal billing.
Punch and Judy shows were commonly set up in city parks and there would be regular show times. They were also a popular attraction at seaside resorts.
Songs and music accompanied the shows. One of the songs might begin like:
Come with me and I will
take you back again.
The days of long ago
Where we used to gather round
to see the merry
Punch and Judy Show
There was Punch, a jolly little
fellow in his suit of calico
The curtains are open
What do we see? Goodness me!
Punch - with one blow
Knocks poor Judy on the head...
We are most familar with Punch and Judy shows in England and France. Many of the English images we note are seaside photographs. Many French images are from city parks. We also note them in Germany. We susopect that they were also popular in Italy, but have no unformation to confirm this. We do not know about other countries, but is likely that Punch and Judy shows were common throught out Western Europe until the 1960s. I do not recall seeing Punch and Judy shows in America as a child during the 1940s, but I suspect some may have exiosted in the larger cities and seaside resorts during the early 20th century.
The English Woodspring Museum at Weston Super-Mare created a beach picnic scene with Victorian Punch and Judy puppets. The scenes perhaps looks more Edwardian to us, epecially the white sailor suit that the boy and the bonnet and white dress that the girl is wearing. The exhibit provides a good of the actual Punch and Judy puppets. There is also a picnic hamper, although that has less to do with children attending a Punch and Judy show than a picnic, not necesarily on the beach and not necesarily ith children.
One English observer remembers hearing a Punch and Judy song as a child from watching Punch and Judy shows in our local park in SE London, so a song of some sort about Punch and Judy was definitely still being sung in the 1970s. A member of the Punch and Judy cast would start singing it before the show to get the children into the appropriate mood. Which always did the trick.
Byrom, Michael. Punch & Judy: Its Origin and Evolution (Shiva Publications 1972) and (Revised edition: DaSilva Puppet Books 1988).
(The) Punch & Judy College of Professors. Mr. Punch's Progress (1987).
Leach, Robert. The Punch & Judy Show: History, Tradition and Meaning (Batsford 1985).
Speaight, George. Punch & Judy: A History (Studio Vista Ltd. 1970).
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