Friday Fun: A Never-Before-Seen Performance by Bryan Clarke

Bryan Clarke

Made available just this week by Australian Professor, Christ van der Craats, this never-before-seen video from three years ago shows a masterful performance by the quintessential Punch & Judy Man, Bryan Clarke. Mr. Clarke made my Punch for me, and I have a deep personal fondness for his work and the man himself.


Enjoy!

The Art of Play: A Mr. Punch by Fred Tickner, 1975

Mr. Punch
Fred Tickner, 1975
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The great Fred Tickner was acclaimed for his beautifully-made puppets—especially his Mr. Punch figures. Tickner was an inspiration for generations of puppet makers, including Bryan Clarke who made my Mr. Punch.


This example of Tickner’s brilliant work dates to around 1975 and is houses in the V&A. A traditional glove puppet of Mr Punch, it has been hand-carved for the face and hands, which are hand-painted. Punch’s characteristic hair is made of imitation fur.

His costume is traditional, yet unique. He wears a pine green hat adorned with small yellow felt circles and a handsome black felt hat-band which has been trimmed with yellow braid and green rosettes anchored with metal studs. Instead of bright red, he wears a raspberry pink corduroy jacket with unusual turquoise corduroy front panels. The entire costume is trimmed with yellow braid and yellow buttons, with a yellow ribbed fabric ruff edged with red braid. His breeches match his hat, and his legs are painted yellow with blue-painted shoes decorated with red and black felt shoe roses.

Welcome, Mr. Punch! My New Puppet from Bryan Clarke!

He’s here! Finally! The moment I’ve been waiting for for many weeks has finally arrived. A package was delivered on my doorstep today—one that I’ve been expecting. My regular readers know just how long I’ve been waiting for him.

I opened the door and gasped. There it was—a casket shaped box upon which had been written “To: Mr. Joseph Crisalli—USA, From: Bryan Clarke—U.K. Contents: Puppet.” Yes, he’s here. My Mr. Punch! My very own Mr. Punch—handmade for me by Bryan Clarke—the famous and celebrated “Professor Jingles” who, in addition to his decades of performing has been making the finest Punch & Judy figures in the world.

I knew that my new Mr. Punch would be stunning. But, I had no idea just HOW stunning he would be. He’s gorgeous! Perfect in every detail—from his magnificent costume to his masterfully carved face, hands, legs and exquisite paint job.

I’m one happy puppeteer-in-training today. I just couldn’t be more thrilled. So, join me in welcoming Mr. Punch—all the way from the English coast. I suspect he’ll be joined by a “Judy” in the near future.

I recommend that you visit Mr. Clarke’s Web site to get a look at his unparelled work. Even if you’re not a puppeteer, if you appreciate fine workmanship, the photos of his exceptional puppets are sure to please you!

Three cheers for Mr. Punch! Texas had better watch out! “Yeehaw” and “that’s the way to do it!”

Masterpiece of the Week: A Mr. Punch by Fred Tickner, 1975

Mr. Punch
Fred Tickner, 1975
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The great Fred Tickner was acclaimed for his beautifully-made puppets—especially his Mr. Punch figures. Tickner was an inspiration for generations of puppet makers, including Bryan Clarke from whom my Mr. Punch is coming.


This example of Tickner’s brilliant work dates to around 1975 and is houses in the V&A. A traditional glove puppet of Mr Punch, it has been hand-carved for the face and hands, which are hand-painted. Punch’s characteristic hair is made of imitation fur.

His costume is traditional, yet unique. He wears a pine green hat adorned with small yellow felt circles and a handsome black felt hat-band which has been trimmed with yellow braid and green rosettes anchored with metal studs. Instead of bright red, he wears a raspberry pink corduroy jacket with unusual turquoise corduroy front panels. The entire costume is trimmed with yellow braid and yellow buttons, with a yellow ribbed fabric ruff edged with red braid. His breeches match his hat, and his legs are painted yellow with blue-painted shoes decorated with red and black felt shoe roses.