Punch and Judy. Tragical comedy or comical tragedy - ACE097.4

Caption: "An Identi-kit." The Punchman on Punch’s character. Punch talks about his physical description over woodcuts. The Punchman explains how he produces Punch’s voice by means of a swizzle. Cut-out animation of man practising. Punch with the Crocodile, which replaced the Devil. Caption: "The Show Must Go On." Illustrations showing the showman’s partner collecting money, etc. Boy and Punchman talk about the difference between short and long shows, and where they pitch their booths; suggests that shows for teetotallers are less spirited than those where the showmen can have a drink. Engravings, etc. Caption: "Friends and Foe." Boy talks about Mistress Polly and Judy, pointing out that moral pressures means that Polly, Punch’s mistress, disappeared from the show. Punch beating black servant: VO talks about the changes in characters – the loss of the Blind Man, Scaramouch disappearing in favour of Joey the Clown. Punch beats other characters and Joey teases him by moving them around.