Mr. Punch in the Arts: Punch and the Doctor

Though the cast of characters varies from show to show and location to location, there is a somewhat standard roster of personalities that are unique to the Punch & Judy legend. One of these characters is “The Doctor.” The Doctor tends to Judy after Punch tries to murder her (kindly, of course). He also takes care of Mr. Punch from time-to-time.


In Punch’s Cousin, when Julian and Robert attended the 1852 Masquerade Ball, they went in the costumes of Mr. Punch and The Doctor. The character has been utilized in the puppet show almost as long as it’s been performed in England. This antique drawing on card is of unknown origin to me, but it is a wonderful representation of Mr. Punch being administered a “Physic” by The Doctor.