Packed with a Punch!

To commemorate the 350th anniversary year of Punch, Pelham Puppets have introduced a marionette of Mr Punch to their range current range of characters.

David Leech who has been designing and producing the new Pelham Puppets since 2008 says that the initial reaction to the new puppet has been very positive and encouraging. He intends to launch his Mr Punch at the Big Grin/May Fayre festival in Covent Garden on May 13th where he will have a sales stall.

Glyn Edwards, Artistic Director for PuppetLink, stated, “I see Mr. Punch returning as a marionette on his 350th birthday as a splendid bit of historical tribute. The name Pelham still has a very powerful sway in the public mind so far as puppets are concerned.

The puppet is the first one that he has developed and put into production with a moulded head, similar to the “Type SL” range of the original Pelham Puppets that were produced in the 50s through to the early 80s. Up until now, David has only been able to make the puppets using a solid wooden ball for the heads. This now means he is looking forward to producing a whole new range of characters over the next year or two in order to reach a wider market.

Working with only two part-time helpers, all the puppets David produces are completely hand made and painted by hand and are proving increasingly popular as more people get to know about them and more shops begin to stock them.

One major toy trade magazine, Toys & Playthings, featured an entire article about puppets in the April 2012 issue and had approached David for help and information in putting the article together.

In part the article, (that features several toy manufacturers, who produce hand puppets, glove puppets and other related items,) states:
“Strings or no strings attached, the enduring popularity of the puppet sector is proven by the 350th anniversary celebrations of one of the country’s most recognised puppets, Punch and Judy - but it’s all about great quality and brilliant design.
Appearing as a marionette in 1662, Mr Punch was one of the first puppets to be welcomed to the stage and has no doubt provided inspiration for a host of new puppets [in the toy market.]
Launching their own commemorative marionette of Mr Punch, puppet designer and maker David Leech of Pelham Puppets says: ‘Puppetry as a whole is experiencing a big revival, especially in the UK. To celebrate the 350th anniversary year of Punch & Judy there is a series of puppet festivals starting in Covent Garden this May, which we will be attending, to launch our own commemorative marionette of Mr Punch.

‘There will always be a market for string puppets,’ continues David, ‘but they have to be good - good quality, work well, look good and last a lifetime!

Pelham Puppets meet all those requirements and as a lifetime puppeteer and marionette maker, I intend to keep it that way!’”

The Pelham Puppet of Mr Punch will be a Limited Edition model, only 350 will be produced and each will have a signed and numbered production certificate.

Each puppet is Made to Order and retails at £44.95 plus £5.00 P&P (UK) and can be obtained from David Leech by emailing David at: david@pelhampuppets.uk.com