Punch & Judy

Comment by Guy Thompson on July 3, 2009 at 9:06am

Found a group with photos of Punch & Judy on Flickr. Check it out at:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/punchandjudy/

Comment by Bill Henderson on January 31, 2010 at 3:28pm

A very talented solo handpuppeteer named Steve Hansen ("The Puppet Man") used to perform a modern Punch and Judy on the streets of San Francisco during lunch hour in the '60s/'70s (also at Renaissance Faires and similar outdoor venues). He wore his stage over his head and walked around wearing large clown shoes. He became quite renowned for this act and is pictured in some books about modern puppetry. In 1982 he was hired as "puppet specialist and show consultant" at Walt Disney World's EPCOT. His show was filled with humorous contemporary topical references which only adults would understand. I believe I saw a performance by him, but I can no longer remember when/where. I do recall that Mr. Punch confronted a handpuppet version of then President Richard Nixon! It was all hysterically funny!

I found this blurb about Steve online: "Hailing from Alberta, Canada, Steve Hansen has had a diverse and fascinating career in the entertainment industry for more than thirty years. Actor, writer, director and producer, Steve may be best known for his unique and notorious international award-winning one-man show The Puppet Man. He has travelled the world from the jungle villages of New Guinea to the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., performing for adult, children and family audiences in every conceivable venue."

The original Punch and Judy script is -- as we all know! -- extremely violent and bawdy, thoroughly unsuitable for children today. Its morose humor, however, can appeal to adults who laugh literally "in spite of themselves" -- unless, of course, if they are just too puritanical for words!

Comment by Steven Shipman on June 13, 2010 at 12:43pm

Steve Hansen's name is very familiar to me. Did he happen to write a Punch and Judy book? Or maybe he was featured in a puppetry book?

Comment by Marc Dunworth on June 13, 2010 at 2:33pm

Steve Hansen, aka "The Puppet Man" has been featured in a few books on puppetry and Punch, although he never wrote a book on the subjects himself. In the 70s he had a walk about Punch show that he buskered. I unfortunately wasn't alive during that time, but folks who did see his street shows have all said he was lighting fast and had a very entertaining show. Unfortunately, the last I ever heard about him was that he had relocated to Canada a number of years ago. A drawing of his stage can be seen in the Punch book "The Frame File" by John Alexander, and actual pictures of Hansen and his walk about stage are in "Puppets: Methods and Materials" by Cedric Flower.

Comment by dennis cook on February 2, 2011 at 6:38pm

is this forum still active? no postings since may?

 

Comment by dennis cook on February 5, 2011 at 2:13pm

try   "punch and judy on the web " loads of hints and tips

 

Comment by Guy Thompson on February 5, 2011 at 3:11pm

Like the other forums on Puppethub, this is just here for the benefit of those who need it. Ask a question, post a comment on your show or one you've seen, etc. There isn't a set schedule or theme (other than Punch & Judy) here.

And, yes, there are some great places on the web for additional information. Please feel free to share them here, too.

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