How very British that one of our most loved institutions is a borrowing, in this case from Italy. Punch and Judy can trace its roots back to the Italian commedia dell’arte, though the story as it has evolved contains plenty of elements also seen in traditional mummers’ plays , and it doesn’t take much imagination to spot links with folk dances like the Morris and Rappers. The audience involvement too is reminiscent of Panto , children screaming warnings to Punch – it’s behind you!
Unlike most traditions, this one has a birthday: May 9 1662, when Pepys recorded seeing ‘an Italian puppet play’ at Covent Garden , though this first known sighting here was probably an earlier marionette version rather than the glove-puppet show we now know.
Over the years fashion and taste have changed, quite dramatically so over the last few decades, which means the once traditional hanging scene is generally omitted; Punch doesn’t tend to whack his baby with a stick, though may accidentally on purpose sit on the infant; and in some shows the once central theme of marital violence is toned down.
But some things don’t change: the basic story – or basis for improvisation (the full version of commedia dell’arte includes all’improviso – via improvisation) is Punch asked to look after his baby by wife Judy, his failings in that regard, and a stream of events thereafter involving much hitting and being hit with sticks, danger from a crocodile, and a foolish policeman. And all, much to the chagrin of the terminally correct, to the vocal delight of children.
For years the tradition clung on at seaside booths from Brighton to Blackpool , Lowestoft to Llandudno , but of late a return to favour at parties and institutional celebrations has been noted, which is good for the Professors who perform the (largely) one-man-shows. That’s the way to do it. Gratuitous but de rigueur.
More British Institutions
Afternoon Tea
Allotments
April Fools Day
Big Ben
Binge Drinking
Black Cabs
Bonfire Night
British Sense of Humour
Brown Windsor Soup
Burns Night
Cadburys
Castles
Changing the Guard
City of London
Coronation Street
Cowes Week
Cricket
Crufts
Dad’s Army
E-Type Jag
Eccentricity
English Country Garden
Fish and Chips
Fish Fingers
Fox Hunting
Full English Breakfast
Gin and Tonic
Glastonbury
Glorious Goodwood
Grand National
Grouse Shooting
Harrods
Highland Games
Hogmanay
James Bond
John Bull
King Arthur
Land Rover
Lloyds of London
London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally
Marks and Spencer
Monty Python
Morecambe and Wise
Old School Tie
Oxbridge
Panto
Picnics
Pimms
Point-to-Point
Punch and Judy
Queueing
Real Ale
Red Arrows
Red Telephone Boxes
Remembrance Poppies
Robin Hood
Rolls Royce
Royal Ascot
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Savile Row Suits
School Discos
School Sports Day
Seaside Piers
Speakers’ Corner
Stag Nights
Stiff Upper Lip
Strawberries and Cream
Street Markets
Summer Festivals
Sunday Roasts
The Archers
The BBC
The Beano
The Boat Race
The Brass Band
The British Bobby
The Bulldog
The Church of England
The Cup Final
The Curry House
The English Rose
The Garden Shed
The Honours System
The Kilt
The Last Night at the Proms
The London Bus
The Mini
The National Trust
The NHS
The Oak
The Pub
The Queen’s Speech
The Rolling Stones
The Royal Christmas Message
The Spitfire
The V Sign
The Village Fete
The Weather
Travelling Fairs
Trooping the Colour
Village Greens
Wedgwood
Wellington Boots
Wimbledon
Wine Gums
Yeomen of the Guard
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |