To be honest there isn't really a script. Not something you can just go out and use. The How To books - and there are several - all include scripts but none of them was ever intended to be taken literally. They are all a framework on which to build your own show.

What's important is structure. Get that right and you van hang words on it and change them at will. Get it wrong and no matter how good or clever the words, the show won't work.

Remember, you don't need many words. Punch is a show of movement and visual humour, not puppets delivering speeches.

The original How To was by Sydney De Hempsey. 1941 or therabouts, published by London Dealer Max Andrews - Vampire Magic. Jay Marshall eventually aquired the rights and republished around 1976. Try Magic Inc.

Not a good script but some clever extras. The frame is of little use. The Fraser book shows an almost identical frame.

Edwin Hooper came next in 1963 with Hallo Mr Punch. Supreme Magic of course. Good advice, a frame plan I'm told doesn't work and a good script that's an abreviated version of a very good one put out by Oscar Oswald - The Magic Mart.

Oscar supplied it in typesheet form quarto paper size. Remember that? Oscar's full version is balanced whilst Edwin's version is unbalanced because it's been cut down. John Styles now runs The Magic Mart. He is also Punchman to the Queen.

Eric Sharpe put out Specialised Punch & Judy in the 80s. A good How To book as you'd expect from a time served pro. A lot of good advice. Personally I think of it as a book for someone who's already doing Punch, rather than someone starting out.

The latest How To is Successful Punch & Judy by Glyn Edwards. Once again, Glyn is at pains to remind his reader that the script is just a frame work on which to hang your own show. It goes into deatil about applying the knowledge you will gain from this book. And it's up-to-date.

There isn't one script anywhere that I would attempt to replicate. But every one I've read has some nuggets worth lifting. Even the Piccini routine. A couple of lines from that still pull laughs 200 years after they were first uttered.

The one book every Punchman should have is nothing to do with scripts. It's John Alexander's The Expanded Frame File. This is pure gold.

Forget the frames described in the How To books and buy this. A major revised version of the original Frame File. So many styles. So much detail. You shouldn't have problems making up one of these. And so many hints and tips too.

Check out http://maskandpuppetbooks.co.uk/

The Expanded Frame File is here and Gly Edwards book. The others you'll pick up second hand on the internet.

Remember, get the script structure right and hang your own lines and ideas on it - and those you have borrowed from other scripts. Keep the words to a minimum, the actions/movement to the maximum.

And PLEASE - someone - tell me what 'real' violence means.

Also check out the Puppetry Store
http://www.puppeteers.org and then follow the links. It's a service of the Puppeteers of America, but is open to anyone. They have a great selection of puppet books and quite a bit on Punch and Judy.

Relentlessly,

Pix

Tony James and pixsmith, thank you!

Dai Bato

That's a good link Pixsmith. Under P&J are a number of titles.

The magic Inc publication iof Sydney De Hempsey's book.

Punch's Progress - interesting read but not a How To book

Practical Punch & Judy. Sydney de Hemsey wrote this in installments for The Wizard, a magic monthly in 1953. In 1992 John Alexander (The Expanded Frame File author) put this together as a booklet. Refreshed script, some further bits and some editing but it is similar to the original. Same frame.

The Peter Fraser book is there too but unless you're determined to make your own figures (and good luck trp you!) there's little useable.

Glyn Edwards Successful P&J is here. I would get that.

Finally the Wonderful Drama of Punch & Judy. A victorian script, flavoursome though probably never actually performed on the street. Again John Alexander has put out this old script.

This script appeared in George Speaight's Punch & Judy (London, Studio Vista 1971). The book is a very hard to find difinitive history of P&J. Still unquestionably the best history if you can find a copy.

Posted: Dec 19, 2006 6:26am
So. No response over violence. What is meant by violence? Knocking about? So what's wrong with that? Children play fight. There's no intention to actually hurt. If someone does accidentally get hurt it ruins the fun.

Children understand playfight. They understand when clowns or indeed anyone not dressed as a clown is knocked about for fun. Think of two people with a plank.

You know what's going to happen. Some of the best gags are those where the audience knows what's coming. Someone gets hit and that someone wreaks revenge and the chase begins with all the falls and pratfalls that follow.

It's funny because it's worked out to be funny. That's a whole world of difference between this form of playfight and the appalling, sickeningly realistic violence of some films.

So don't get hung up on violence. For a child it's playfighting and the payoff is punch gets scared in the end. Not only in the end but part way through too. And always make certain that after telling lies earlier on there's a point where Punch tells the truth and isn't believed.

And for goodness sake let the story tell itself - don't labour the points or morals. Children aren't stupid. They know the differences.

Posted: Dec 28, 2006 3:49am
A post-Christmas thought buried amongst what has gone before.

Keep the words simple and brief. It's action and movement which is important.

I worked a lot with Celastic in the 60's and 70's. It was, as mentioned above, plastic impregnated cloth. You tore it into strips, dipped it in acetone or methyl-ethel ketone to soften the plastic, and used it much like papier mache'. You could blend edges with the softened plastic. Dried rock-hard.

You wound up with black crusty binder material all over your hands from working with it. This was likely kinda dangerous!

In theatre we built EVERYTHING out of it--props, set elements, etc.
I have a Celastic Punch and Judy set of puppets we built in a class I taught. They are indestructible.

I have a sheet of Celastic in the basement I guard jealously.
I BELIEVE something similar to Celastic (though not as good) is still available through theatrical houses. Might try A to Z in Kansas City, MO:
http://www.atoztheatrical.com/

To tell you the truth, a supply of Celastic would be hugely valuable to anyone working in hard vent figures or puppets.

I would also be remiss if I did not not mentionin http://www.puppetooks.co.uk , Ray DaSilva's online shop. ray is probably the world's leading supplier of puppet related books, andhis collection of used books and out of print titles is outstanding, as well as reasonably priced. It would be worth a look as well.

Cheers,

Pix

Absolutely Pix. how did I manage to verlook ray. Don't tell him please!

You mean http://www.puppetbooks.co.uk

Dai Bato

Yes, he does!