Punch and Judy Booth
after 1937, After 1937
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This booth was used for his Punch and Judy show by Arthur William Ford (1901-1974), known professionally as 'Professor' Gordon Bavister. The figures were bought in 1937 were made by the master puppet maker Arthur Quisto (1882-1960), except the two boxers and the ghost, whose maker is not known.
Mr Punch was first recorded in England in 1662 by the famous diarist Samuel Pepys when he saw him as a marionette, operated in Covent Garden by the Italian puppet showman Signor Bologna. Pulchinella, as he was then called, was presented within a tent rather than in the type of booth we know today. Pepys brought his wife to see the show two weeks later and that October the same show was performed at Whitehall for the King.
The booth comprises several parts that were put together for a show. The dismantled aluminium frame was carried in a canvas carrying bag while the stage, curtains, fascia board top and struts, properties and puppets fitted into a suitcase.
Mr Punch was first recorded in England in 1662 by the famous diarist Samuel Pepys when he saw him as a marionette, operated in Covent Garden by the Italian puppet showman Signor Bologna. Pulchinella, as he was then called, was presented within a tent rather than in the type of booth we know today. Pepys brought his wife to see the show two weeks later and that October the same show was performed at Whitehall for the King.
The booth comprises several parts that were put together for a show. The dismantled aluminium frame was carried in a canvas carrying bag while the stage, curtains, fascia board top and struts, properties and puppets fitted into a suitcase.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 15 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Punch and Judy booth that can be dismantled for transport. Used from 1937 onwards by Arthur William Ford (1901-1974) known as Professor Gordon Bavister, who scripted and operated a Punch and Judy show. Unknown maker. |
| Physical description | The booth comprises several parts that were put together for a show. The dismantled aluminium frame was carried in a canvas carrying bag while the stage, curtains, fascia board top and struts, properties and puppets fitted into a suitcase. |
| Credit line | Donated by Michael De La Ford in memory of his father Arthur William Ford (1901-1974) who as 'Professor' Gordon Bavister scripted and operated his Punch and Judy show from 1937 onwards. |
| Object history | This Punch and Judy booth was given with a set of Punch & Judy figures donated by the son of the Punchman 'Professor' Gordon Bavister (1901-1974), along with the script of the show and some properties. All the figures were bought by his father in 1937 and were made by Arthur Quisto, except the Boxers and the Ghost, which were added later. The puppet booth is complete with its proscenium arch, blue velvet curtains, a painted backdrop of a street scene, the facade of Punch's house, other properties and two swazzles. |
| Association | |
| Literary reference | Punch and Judy |
| Summary | This booth was used for his Punch and Judy show by Arthur William Ford (1901-1974), known professionally as 'Professor' Gordon Bavister. The figures were bought in 1937 were made by the master puppet maker Arthur Quisto (1882-1960), except the two boxers and the ghost, whose maker is not known. Mr Punch was first recorded in England in 1662 by the famous diarist Samuel Pepys when he saw him as a marionette, operated in Covent Garden by the Italian puppet showman Signor Bologna. Pulchinella, as he was then called, was presented within a tent rather than in the type of booth we know today. Pepys brought his wife to see the show two weeks later and that October the same show was performed at Whitehall for the King. The booth comprises several parts that were put together for a show. The dismantled aluminium frame was carried in a canvas carrying bag while the stage, curtains, fascia board top and struts, properties and puppets fitted into a suitcase. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.551:1 to 15 - 2012 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 30, 2012 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
