The sun shone on the annual puppet get together on May 10th and the crowds turned out to enjoy a great day of Punch shows and other performances with marionettes, maypole dancing and clowns too.
The first Covent Garden May Fayre was held in 1976 to commemorate one of the most famous street performers of all time, Mr Punch, with a special celebration once a year and has proved so popular with everyone that it has continued ever since.
The day always starts with a procession on foot around the neighbourhood led by the Superior Brass band.
Punch & Judy Professors from across the country and overseas attend and perform throughout the day and look forward to meeting each other and, among other matters, discussing the mechanics of their crocodiles!
It is a delight to see the colourful booths all lined up across the lawn and the crowds enjoying a variety of continuous performances. It remains a completely non-commercial occasion with a small grant given by the City of Westminster Arts with all the remaining work carried out by volunteers.
Mr Punch is an anarchic character who pokes fun at the establishment and certainly does not meet with everyone’s approval which is probably why he’s so popular with children!
Drew Colby of “Objects dart” writes about this year’s event:
“I had planned to attend the May Fayre as a spectator, having performed there two years ago (the year it poured with rain!). Then an urgent appeal was sent out for someone to run the puppet making workshops. I responded immediately and arrived on the day with my bag of old milk cartons, flowerpots and bits and pieces. And I can tell you, by the end of the day, the bag was completely empty.
Some fantastic puppets were made out of all the old junk, some quite reminiscent of Mr Punch and his wife, with their large noses. We also made spinning toys and I did a small amount of balloon modeling / showing children how to make balloon animals.
A smattering of parents attempted to make balloon dogs, and it was comical to see them turn their grimacing faces away as they twisted and squeaked their balloons, expecting a bang at any time.
I was inundated with workshop participants throughout the day.
I have to say, like my shoemaker I was ably helped out by some magic elves, in the form of Ocean, the daughter of one of the Punch and Judy Profs on display on the lawn across the garden, and some of the children who had made things earlier in the day coming back and volunteering to show the newcomers what to do and how to do it!”
A great day – That’s the way to do it!
The Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival Committee can be contacted via Alternative Arts website.
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