Mr. Punch at the Seaside
Yesterday & TodayThere is a long tradition, in Britain, associating the Punch & Judy Show with The Seaside: coastal holiday resorts to which the whole population would flock during the Summer months. Greater affluence, easier global travel and more flexible holiday arrangements have decreased the popularity of the traditional seaside holiday and consequently it is much harder for a Punch & Judy Professor to make an adequate living on these pitches, and their numbers are dwindling.
Below are some pictures of seaside Punchmen of the past, and also some who are still performing on beach and promenade today.
TEACHERS
The Seaside, its creation in Victorian Times, and its association with Punch & Judy Show, is a popular KS1 Topic for schools. Teachers who have arrived here may like to click this link to a schools' workshop related website, SeasidePunchandJudy.com
 Click to enlarge this 2003 Weston Super Mare poster advertising Punch shows throughout the summer.
 
Prof. Mark Poulton appeared on Goodrington Sands, Paignton, Devon.
 
 
1. Goodrington Sands 1989 .. 2. Weston Super Mare 1990
3. Lusty Glaze Beach, Cornwall .. 4. Goodrington Sands 1999
1. Teignmouth Beach 2002
2. Goodrington Sands 2002 (with TV presenter Bradley Walsh)


The late Prof. Basil (Punchman, author and theatrical historian Michael Byrom) at Paignton 1981
Mr. Bimbamboozle (Chris Somerville) on the seafront at Llanfairfechan, North Wales. Website: http://puppetmagic.co.uk


Professor Paul Bruce was for many years the resident punchman at Swanage, following veteran Punchman Jock Armitage. He was followed by a lady Punch Professor, Wendy Wharham.
pvbruce@aol.com
The late Sergeant Stone provided Punch at Brighton
The late Prof. Guy Higgins at Weymouth Sands, Dorset. The tradition is continued by Prof. Mark Poulton.
Prof. John Alexander performed at Broadstairs, Kent. Click the picture to go to his own website.
Prof. Jingles(Bryan Clarke) appeared at Lowestoft. Bryan is still active and is the leading maker of Punch & Judy puppets for professors who do not make their own.
Prof. Davey appears at Lyme Regis. He also makes puppets and equipment for fellow puppeteers.

(A) shows a young Mark Poulton outside Prof. Guy Higgins' booth in circa 1975. (B) shows Rod Burnett's show at Weston-Super-Mare, 1988. (C) shows Mark Poulton and Guy Higgins outside the Higgins' booth at Wemouth, September 1999.

Mark Poulton once again, with Prof. Guy Higgins, Weymouth 2001
CLACTON
Peter and Miraiker Battey present Punch and Judy on the beach at Clacton through much of the summer each year. They can be contacted by telephone: 01473 831365 or visit their website
Click a picture to enlarge
EXMOUTH
Malcolm presents Punch and Judy on Exmouth Sands, Devon, near the Octagon, throughout the summer. He can be contacted by email apunchandjudy@hotmail.com or telephone: 01626 891328
Click a picture to enlarge
PAIGNTON
Mark Poulton's new booth and proscenium for his 2003 season at Goodrington Sands, Paignton, Devon. Now he has taken over the pitch at Weymouth. You can Email him :mark@poultonpuppets.co.uk or visit his website.
Click a picture to enlarge
 RHYL, NORTH WALES
Ted Green performed for many years on the promenade at Rhyl, and many visitors remember his pitch, by the clocktower. Ted died in the mid nineteen eighties.
Now Prof. Magico (Eddie Hughes) presents Punch throughout the summer at the children's village on the promenade at Rhyl. Email: jehmagic@supanet.com
And here are some Rhyl cards from the wonderful Geoff Felix Archive
 Punch on Rhyl Promenade in 1910
 Punch on Rhyl Promenade in 1919
 Punch on Rhyl Promenade in 1929
 Punch on Rhyl Promenade circa 1970
 Prof Ted Green's Punch Show in its familar clocktower site. Circa 1982
 Almost identical to the previous picture - by rival postcard company. Circa 1982
If you know a punch performer appearing on a seaside beach, pier or promenade site please encourage them to send their details for inclusion on this site. If they are on the web then they should initially email webmaster Chris Somerville chris@punchandjudy.com. Otherwise they can write to Chris Somerville, Harlequin Puppet Theatre, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, North Wales LL28 4EP, UK.
AND NOW SOME SEASIDE PICTURES OF A BYGONE ERA
Click this small picture to enlarge. Prof Smith on Margate Sands, 1895. Postcard courtesy of Prof Mark Poulton.
      AND THESE FROM THE GEOFF FELIX ARCHIVE
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