Mr. Punch and Friends - Lincoln 2012

Martin Bridleʼs Punch and Judy

by Clive Chandler

Thanks to the Punch and Judy Fellowship, something very special happened in the sunny streets of Lincoln on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29th July 2012.

The historic City played host to a massive 3-day festival featuring 60 performances from 8 Punch Professors working alongside 4 international companies. As well as non-stop Punch shows, there were Giant Dancing Puppets accompanied by a live band parading around the streets, and a puppet-making workshop where members of the public could make their own take-away puppet. Performers came from Italy and Portugal with Mr Punch’s cousins Pulcinella and Dom Roberto. There were robust street marionettes from Belgium and exquisite puppets from Hungary. With an eye to the continuation of the tradition, seasoned performers supported young Joseph Peek (aged 9). This was all enjoyed by more than 5000 smiling people.

Events took place up and down the main High Street and around a specially constructed beach in City Square. On the Sunday things moved up to castle grounds and the streets approaching the castle. Everything was outdoors and free (apart from an admission to the castle grounds on Sunday).

This was made possible by a grant of £8000 from Arts Council England to the Punch and Judy Fellowship, working with Lincoln BIG (Business Investment Group) and the historic Lincoln Castle.

Everything was organised by Clive Chandler and John Thursby on behalf of The Punch and Judy Fellowship.

Taking Part as Punch Profs were: John Thursby, Clive Chandler, Chippy Wood, Dan Slater, Rod Burnett, Martin Bridle, Paul Wheeler, and Joseph Peek. Our international guests were András Lenart/Mikropodium from Budapest in Hungary, Marc Beuten from Brugge in Belgium, Jose Gil/S.A.Marionetas from Alcobaca in Portugal and Irene Vecchia from Naples in Italy. Cath Conolly provided the puppet making workshop.

There have been a number of events this year to mark Mr Punch’s 350th Birthday and Mr Punch has cropped up in a number of festivals both at home and abroad. The continuation of the tradition owes much to the efforts of various individuals and organisations. We are delighted that the Punch and Judy Fellowship has been able to deliver an event of this scale and quality on such a special occasion.


Some quotes from our overseas friends...

“São eventos como o que se realizou em Lincoln que dão força para a tradição do teatro de marionetas continuar.”
It’s events like this one in Lincoln that give strength to the tradition of puppet theatre to continue.
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“Dom Roberto, o primo Português do Mr. Punch está feliz pelo seu aniversário e a cidade de Lincoln foi e é perfeita para celebrar a arte da marioneta!”
Dom Roberto, the Portuguese cousin of Mr. Punch is happy for his birthday and the city of Lincoln was and is perfect to celebrate the art of puppetry!
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“- boa organização; muito bons amigos; bom aniversário; boas pessoas; e uma cidade linda.”
- good organization, good friendship, good birthday, good people, and a beautiful city.

José Gil / S.A.Marionetas – Portugal
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“I like very much British audience!”
Irene Vecchia, Italy

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Andras Lenhart of Mikropodium (from Hungary) sent warm wishes and thanks to the organisers - which you can read by clicking here.

One of the puppets from Mickropodium