That’s the Way to Do it! A History of Punch and Judy

Do you know what’s a proper British cultural heritage? I’ll give you a hint: it involves puppets, and it’s not the Muppet Show. That’s right, it’s Punch and Judy! Now, you might think that this jolly show with a squeaky-voiced protagonist and his motley crew of companions is as British as tea and scones, but would you believe me if I told you it actually originated in Italy? That’s right, Punch and Judy started out as a marionette show before evolving into the glove puppet spectacle we know and love today. But don’t let its foreign roots fool you, Punch and Judy quickly gained popularity in Britain in the 1660s, even getting a shout-out from Samuel Pepys himself. And during the Victorian era, it became the voice of the people - a way for the working class to have a bit of a laugh and poke fun at authority. These days, you can still catch Punch and Judy shows at seaside resorts all across the country, with some even gaining heritage attraction status. Punch himself is a carved wooden puppet with legs, married to the lovely Judy and surrounded by a whole cast of characters including a baby, a policeman, a clown, a dog named Toby, and even a crocodile! And let’s not forget that distinctive squeaky voice, created by a little gadget called a swazzle held by the puppeteer. Back in the day, when people couldn’t read newspapers, Punch was their main source of information - imagine that! So don’t let anyone tell you that a puppet show can’t be a vital part of British cultural heritage. Long live Punch and Judy!