In ‘Mr Punch’ Diana Butler tells us the history of Mr Punch who is far from being just a seaside puppet show.

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This is the second in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group.

There are a number of famous people from history staying in the ‘burning house’. Each speaker pleads for their subject to be saved.

Mr. Punch has his origins in Italy. We can trace the harlequin or pantaloon back to the burlesque mime characters of ancient Rome. Herculaneum has a statue with features of Mr. Punch. The showman’s sounds come from the whistles the Romans used.

Early days in Britain:

Religious dramas, political satire and opera are a feature of Middle Ages England. Over the years the clergy find that the puppets, with their humorous dialogues and popular songs, are not suitable for illustrating Bible stories .

In 1677 Edward Ravenscroft, at the Theatre Royal, has Punch on stage in a Restoration comedy.

In 1660, Samuel Pepys observes a marionette show featuring an early version of Mr. Punch in Covent Garden. Pepys describes the event in his diary as an Italian puppet play.

Listen to Diana tell us the story of this puppet whose history goes back many centuries.

This is an edited recording of a talk given to the Farnham u3a World History: Ancient, Medieval and Modern  Group.

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