THE PUNCH AND JUDY SHOW: ITS HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Punch and Judy is a traditional form of puppet theatre widely known in the United Kingdom and certain other English-speaking countries. As part of the national culture for over 350 years it has featured in numerous works of art, particularly in literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Being generally less well-known beyond Britain, it may be problematic for readers encountering references to the show in English literature, such as the works of Dickens and Conrad. This paper provides an overview of the show, a short history and a description of certain aspects of historical and social change within the tradition.