Mr. Punch in the Arts: The Punch & Judy Polka, 1889

Sheet Music
1889
The Victoria & Albert Museum

What better way to celebrate a marriage than with a polka? And, what better polka than one written in honor of Britain’s most dysfunctional puppet couple? Here, we see the sheet music cover for the “Punch & Judy Polka” by Oscar Barrett.


Our Mr. Punch is pictured here with his blushing bride, Judy, and their baby. Of course, Mr. Punch is poking the baby's head with a stick—but, that’s to be expected. Punch attended the same school of parenting as Homer Simpson.

Friday Fun: Professor Mark Poulton by the Seaside

Mark Poulton

This week’s “Friday Fun,” is another Punch & Judy show—this time performed by the talented Professor Mark Poulton. Professor Poulton brings decades of experience to the art form. Enjoy his version of Mr. Punch as “Old Red Nose” is introduced by Joey the Clown.

Friday Fun: Hector the Horse

Mark Poulton

Since the time of Britain’s earliest appearances of Mr. Punch, Hector the Horse has appeared early in the wooden-headed pantomime. Hector, a spirited equine, is due to be saddled and ridden by our Mr. Punch, but has ideas of his own—ultimately throwing our hunchbacked hero and causing him to declare, “I’m dead.” It’s Punch’s declaration of his own death which precipitates the need for the doctor, and, ergo, moves the play forward.

This performance by Punch & Judy Man Mark Poulton, a professor since 1989, beautifully demonstrates this portion of the traditional show.

Masterpiece of the Week: The Codman Judy, 1860

Judy Puppet
Circa 1860
The Museum of Liverpool

She may not be as old as Mr. Punch, and she may not have always been called “Judy” (she began in Britain as a character named “Joan”), but Judy is as much a part of the history of world culture as her illustrious husband.


This long-suffering, wooden-headed lady, can’t be considered the world’s best mother. She did marry Mr. Punch, after all, and leaves her baby in the care of her irresponsible mate, but she’s fiercely protective of her offspring and becomes quite enraged when her child is made into sausage—as one does.

So, in honor of Mother’s Day and Mr. Punch’s impending birthday, we pay homage to Judy with this lovely puppet which is one of the original pieces from the Codman Family. Codman’s is a family-operated theatre which has been a part of Liverpool, England culture since the 1860’s.

Still in excellent condition, this Judy is no worse for wear after thousands of beatings. With her pinched face and slight snarl, she’s still a formidable force after over a century.