THE PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW: ITS HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Trevor Hill
University of Warmia and Mazury in OlsztynAbstract
Punch and Judy is a traditional form of puppet theatre widely known in the United Kingdom and certain other English-speaking countries. As part of the national culture for over 350 years it has featured in numerous works of art, particularly in literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Being generally less well-known beyond Britain, it may be problematic for readers encountering references to the show in English literature, such as the works of Dickens and Conrad. This paper provides an overview of the show, a short history and a description of certain aspects of historical and social change within the tradition.
Keywords:
puppets, Punch and Judy, Victorian, theatre, literatureReferences
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Byrom Michael. 1972. Punch and Judy: It’s Origin and Evolution. Aberdeen: Shiva Publications (1972).
Byrom Michael. 1983. Punch in the Italian Puppet Theatre. London: Centaur Press.
Collier John, Payne. 1828. The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Punch and Judy. London: Prowett
Conrad Joseph. 2016. Lord Jim. In: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5658/5658-h/5658-h.htm#link2HCH0006 [Retrieved 01 VIII 2018].
de Hempsey Sydney. 1945. How to do Punch and Judy. London: Max Andrews. Dickens Charles. 2018. The Old Curiosity Shop. In: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/700/700-h/700-h.htm [Retrieved 25 VII 2018].
Edwards Glyn. 2000. Successful Punch and Judy. Bicester: DaSilva Puppet Books
Edwards Glyn. 2011. The Art of Punch and Judy. Worthing: The Fedora Group.
Findlater Richard.1955. Grimaldi, King of Clowns. London: MacGibbon & Kee.
Frow Gerald. 1985. “Oh, Yes It Is!”. London: BBC
Hollis Wyndham (ed.). 1987. Mr Punch’s Progress and Other Observations. Fakenham: Monkey Puzzle.
Leach Robert. 1985. The Punch and Judy Show: History, Tradition and Meaning. London: Batsford Academic and Educational.
Mayhew Henry. 1968. London Labour and London Poor (Vol. 3). New York: Dover Publications.
McRobbie Linda, Rodriguez. 2013. Are Punch and Judy Shows Finally Outdated? Smithsonian.com [online magazine]. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/are-punch-and-judy-shows-finally-outdated-10599519/ [Retrieved 30 VII 2018].
O’Sullivan Kyle. 2018. ‘Uncomfortable’ Kate Garraway orders GMB guest to remove ‘racist’ puppet during Punch and Judy ban debate . The Daily Mirror Online. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/uncomfortable-kate-garraway-orders-gmb-12970935 [Recovered 30 VII 2018].
Speaight George. 1990. The History of the English Puppet Theatre (2nd Edition). London: George G. Harrap & Co.
UNIMA [website]. https://wepa.unima.org/en/punch-and-judy/ [Retrieved 20 VII 2018].
Warner Marina. 1998. No Go the Bogeyman: Scaring, Lulling and Making Mock. London: Chatto and Windus.
Williams Ursula Moray. 1942. Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat. London: George G. Harrap & Co.
Hill, T. (2018). THE PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW: ITS HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE. Acta Neophilologica, 1(XX), 169–185. https://doi.org/10.31648/an.2694
Trevor Hill
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
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