Weekly Meeting - The History of Mr Punch and Judy (Phil Collins)

The History of Mr Punch and Judy (Phil Collins)

Tonight, we enjoyed a very enjoyable and engaging talk from the ‘Prof’ Phil Collins, who gave us all a humorous and enlightening insight into the 350 year history of Punch and Judy.

A local man born in Cheltenham in 1961, he is very passionate about performing, not only Punch and Judy shows, but also amateur dramatics and playing in a ukulele band.

He started by giving us a brief history of when the first shows were on the beaches and seafronts around Britain and that was due to the success of the railways which meant the Victorians got to experience the seaside. So the P&J man thought they were missing a trick and also headed for the coast with the now very recognisable red and white striped beach hut, where they set up stall and entertained the families. Now it’s a rarity, not just down to expensive licences from the council but also a lack of enthusiasm for the British seaside and of course the typical English weather. He now concentrates on local shows and events because as he said “at least I get paid up front!” But has been known to do the odd kids party, although he did allude these could drive you to drink.

One of the very memorable aspects of P&J was sound and Phil explained that you would often hear Mr Punch before you ever saw him. This was down to the swazzle, which is a device usual made of two pieces of non-poisonous metal bound together with cotton to create a reed, this allows the Professor to make the distinctive harsh, rasping voice of Mr Punch. He went on to explain that his wasn’t made of metal, but his wives credit card cut up, he then demonstrated after dipping it in his beer the noise it makes and he is very careful not to swallow it. Which luckily, he hasn’t done. We could all make out the words, except when he tried to say “Rotary Club of Gloucester Severn”

To explain the show further required some audience participation and the roll of the Bottler was very admirably played by the smart alec of the evening, John Bowman, very much due to him having already answered all the questions directed at the audience by the Prof in return for payment in wine gums. John did admit no sense of rhythm and musical ability but was pretty adept at getting the outfit on which was very much like putting on a straitjacket. So while Phil set up the show the Bottler encouraged us to all part with some pennies in a very large beer bottle, which unlike the church collection plate you can’t take anything out as you put in.

The show then started. The Prof treating us to a shortened performance of a typical P&J show which many of the club found took them back to their childhood, but as adults allowed a few to get over their own irrational fear of it and it wasn’t as scary as they remembered.

After the typical P&J show, which saw plenty of slap stick and a baby and a policeman turned into sausages and Mr Punch attached by a crocodile, whilst all the time long suffering Judy trying to keep Mr Punch on the straight and narrow. To end Mr Punch banished the devil and it was ended with a great round of applause and laughter.

Phil then went on to take some questions, this one in particular got a good few laughs.

“Why do you do it?”

The room filled with laughter and the prof went on to explain that he asked himself the same question every day! But he does have great fun with it and a likened it to Morris dancing, which has also become very British, although neither originated here and he enjoys carrying on the 350-year-old tradition and seeing the faces of the children he is entertaining with live theatre rather than computers games and animation.

It was a very enjoyable evening and maybe we’ll see him again with his Ukulele?

Simon Owen