That's the Way to Do it!

One of the staples of the British seaside culture in the 19th and 20th centuries was the "Punch and Judy man".  Originating in Italy in the 16th century, Punch and Judy is a puppet show, which no doubt appeals to children because of the antagonist and violent Mr. Punch!

First appearing in England on May 9, 1662, Punch wields a large stick (called a slapstick), and with it beats other characters in the show, which include his wife Judy, a police constable, a doctor, and a crocodile.  The Italian heritage is still very evident via the jester's outfit donned by Punch.

  

 Punch and Judy by alexbrn is licensed under CC BY 2.0 


There is no set plot to a Punch and Judy show, but all performances could certainly be classed as black comedy, despite being aimed at children.  Strangely enough, the original show targeted an adult audience, and it was during the Victorian era that it evolved into a kid's show.  Even now, many Americans would probably be shocked at the general content of a performance.

One of the most fascinating features of the show is Punch's voice, which is produced with the aid of a swazzle.  It is difficult to describe, so you can just click on the link!