The Punch and Judy Club was founded by some of the world’s top Punch and Judy Professors, historians, and puppet makers all keen to 'Stick Up for Mr Punch'. They aim to promote Old Red Nose and his merry band of wooden headed misfits in the best possible light by performing shows of the highest quality. As "Custodians of Mr Punch's Heritage" these performers know that Mr Punch’s future is quite literally in their hands.
Hands Up! is a competition for young puppeteers run by The Punch and Judy Club and Bognor Regis Heritage Partnership. After the success of last year’s Punch and Judy Festival, a whole host of puppet shows will be back by the sea in September 2024 for the Bognor Regis Puppet Party, and Hands Up! is a chance for young performers to showcase their work at this exciting event.All styles of puppetry are welcome, from all young performers.
We are looking for two young puppeteers to perform at the event on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September. In addition to performing, the winners will receive goody bags of puppet prizes and merchandise, and have the chance to work on their performance with feedback from industry leaders.
Entrants should fill in the form below, with details of the performance they would bring to the Bognor Regis Puppet Party, along with a short video.
*The competition is open to all puppeteers, regardless of experience, under the age of 21 on 29/9/24.The event will take place at the Royal Norfolk Hotel, The Esplanade, Bognor Regis. Entrants must be available to attend, and willing to travel to the event. Entrants under the age of 18 will need permission from their parent/guardian to enter, and someone to accompany them on the day. The final date to enter is 31/7/24. Winners will be notified by 12/8/24.
More information coming soon!
The Bognor Regis Punch & Judy Festival 2023
1963 saw the release of the film The Punch and Judy Man, starring Tony Hancock. Much of the film was shot on location at Bognor Regis, doubling for Piltdown on Sea, and over 2000 local residents appeared as extras.
Sixty years on the prestigious Punch and Judy Club, along with Bognor Regis Heritage Partnership and the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society, are bringing Mr Punch back to the Royal Norfolk Hotel for the weekend of Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October, presenting some of the country’s very best Punch and Judy shows in the gardens of the hotel in a festival celebrating Mr Punch and Tony Hancock.
Puppet collector David Wilde will be on hand to perform with Tony Hancock’s puppets from the film, reuniting them with historic artefacts, costumes, scripts and photos from the archive of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society.
With Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival cancelled in 2020, and Mr Punch and his friends on lock down across the world, we wanted to find a way to celebrate Mr Punch's 358th birthday in style.
Alongside Alternative Arts and ThePunch and Judy Facebook page we are launching May Fayre Memories, celebrating this unique event, and the people and puppets that have found a home there.