The Beginnings

One of Punch’s ancestors was Pulcinella a character appearing in the Italian Comedia dell’Arte theatre troupes. There were also puppet versions of these comedy dramas. Italian puppeteers travelled to France and Britain. At this time one of their main venues were country fairs. Marionette shows with large, wire operated, puppets were very popular, but needed big audiences to make a living. Smaller two man, (puppeteer and ‘bottler’) teams using glove puppets and a small booth wheeled on a handcart found they could survive when the fairs declined and times grew harder. In this format Punch developed his star character and won a place in the heart of his audience. Bad as he was they loved the downtrodden little man who strikes against authority and, unlike us . . . he gets away with it!

Hand in Glove

The change from marrionette to glove puppet shaped Punch and the whole show. A single puppeteer operating two glove puppets soon finds that an audience is attracted and held when his characters indulge in fast paced action, grabbing, chasing and battling.

Following Society

Throughout its history Punch has followed trends in society. It has absorbed elements of music hall and pantomime. It has also literally followed society - to the seaside and more recently to the shopping centre.

Punch Today

Punch is as popular as ever! He struggles to survive at the seaside but has held on to most of his traditional venues such as country shows, local village shows, birthday parties - and has added heritage events, commercial promotions and that big part of life today - the shopping centre experience . . .

Living Heritage

Many of the Properpunch puppets are themselves part of our cultural heritage - being well over 50 years old. Mr Punch himself was made by Wal Kent, Britain’s most highly regarded Punch maker.

The Future

Punch has become a part of British life, he is a valuable, living tradition (over 300 years). He will always be developing, whilst remaining true to his (over-the-top) nature.