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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Punch and Judy
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The archetypal British puppet play, still frequently performed at the seaside or at children's parties. A hump-backed and hook-nosed string-puppet called Punchinello (deriving rather distantly from Pulcinella in the Italian *commedia dell'arte) arrived in England in about 1662 and soon became simply Punch. He acquired a wife, known at first by various names but eventually settling down as Judy.
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Violent aggression, wife-beating tendencies and regular clashes with authority (policeman, doctor, priest, hangman) had become the central elements of his character by the late 18C. He then went out of fashion, but resurfaced later in country fairs in his present form as a glove-puppet. His only friend is his dog, Toby, traditionally a live terrier with a white ruff sitting on the edge of the stage throughout the performance. Mr Punch's appearance and name were promiment for 150 years in the magazine named after him, *Punch.
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