May 9, 1662: Happy birthday, Punch & Judy

Pull the string and I’ll wink at you
I’m your puppet
I’ll do funny things if you want me to
I’m your puppet

– James & Bobby Purify

On this day in 1662, the diarist Samuel Pepys saw the puppet show that would evolve into Punch and Judy. His was the first recorded mention of the act, and is now considered the puppets’ birthday.

After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, entertainers from mainland Europe brought their crafts to England. This particular show had its roots in the Italian commedia dell’arte, a forerunner of improv comedy. The name Punch is an anglicized form of the Italian name Pulcinella, a character who was often cunning and sly.

The story has changed over the centuries but the basic format has remained: Punch gets in trouble with his wife, various outsiders (policeman, crocodile, clown) show up, and Punch gets the better of them through slapstick – or by actually slapping them with his baton.

Today, Punch and Judy shows are typically done with hand puppets in a stage, as with the photo above. Originally, however, they were marionettes. The man Samuel Pepys (PEEPS) saw in 1662 was known as Signor Bologna, and by the end of the year, he had an audience with King Charles II.

For more on Punch and Judy’s long history, visit the Victoria and Albert Museum.