The latest victim of all this aggression is the humble Punch and Judy Show. Two Punch and Judy performers on Dorset beaches are having to contend with spectators who don't want to pay, who swear and shout, who dodge the donation box, and generally make a nuisance of themselves.
This never used to be the case, but nowadays it seems that if spectators aren't 100 per cent satisfied, they feel entitled to disrupt the show and make a huge disturbance.
One performer, Mark Poulton, had to post on his Facebook page calling for the abuse to stop. He said "We love making people happy, seeing everyone smile, and enjoying themselves. If you don't wish to pay for the show, please politely decline and move along, please don't hurl abuse at people simply for trying to make a living."
Of course some people would like to end Punch and Judy Shows, which they see as glorifying male violence, and I tend to agree. Or maybe you could write a modernised version with a more assertive July telling Punch to pull his weight or pack his bags.
As a kid I went to quite a few Punch and Judy Shows, and really at that age the political message entirely escaped me. I just thought it was funny in the same way as children's violent cartoons are funny. But I guess that message can seep in unconsciously.
Punch and Judy Shows have always been a traditional part of seaside holidays and it would be sad if they disappeared simply because of the loud-mouthed abuse from a few uncouth (possibly tipsy) bystanders.
Pic: Take that, Punch, you nasty little man
I have never seen a Punch and Judy show but, am familiar with the violent reaction that one sees now more than say a couple of decades ago. I see this particularly in road rage incidents.
ReplyDeleteRamana: I haven't seen any road rage myself (I think drivers in Northern Ireland are more courteous than in England). But I've read about some shocking incidents.
DeleteNever a fan of these horrible shows even as a child. I remember cringing and being quite triggered.
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www: I can understand that. Very sensitive children might be greatly disturbed by all the violence and misogyny.
DeleteI’ve heard the name, but thought it was a puppet show from the 1950’s and long gone. I find it surprising that they can charge for the show when it’s out in the open like that. I don’t understand why the performers can’t rewrite the scripts so that it’s child friendly and more suited for modern behavior and attitudes.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I so agree. Why not rewrite the whole thing instead of pretending this is all (traditional) good harmless fun? I gather they don't have an official charge but they do pass round a donation box, as they have to pay for licences and insurance.
DeleteI have never seen a Punch and Judy show but my understanding is they celebrate violence so I've never bothered to seek one out. But, you are right in that most children's cartoons I've seen also celebrate violence. I wonder why that is?
ReplyDeleteLinda: I think children like the idea of violence because it amuses them and they aren't yet old enough to understanding what real violence can involve. But as Bijoux says, it's all hopelessly out of date.
DeleteI wonder if mankind has a defective gene.
ReplyDeleteall through history... the violence there.
would peace be boring? even in writing class they teach that there Must be conflict. it's interesting.
and now it has reached a level that we find it hard to even be Civil to each other!!!
Tammy: Indeed, could it be a defective gene that persists through the generations? I think conflict and healthy argument is okay, it's when it degenerates into violence that the problem starts.
DeleteI remember Punch and Judy shows and enjoyed them....and as for the mysogyny and violence I suspect that the audience see a lot worse on the box to judge by the soaps and dramas available. In any case the police put a stop to it all...so right triumphs. I suggest the puppeteers set about the rowdies with Punch's club.
ReplyDeleteFly: True, what you see on TV and the mainstream media can be a lot nastier and more vicious than anything in a kid's cartoon. Agreed, setting about them with Punch's club would soon sort them out!
DeleteI've never wanted to see a Punch and Judy show, but I used to love cartoons. Mostly because the underdogs did the violence, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteJean: I was addicted to cartoon comics as a kid. I used to buy a whole stack of them from the newsagent every week. Hadn't thought about it being the underdogs that did the violence!
DeleteI would love to see a Punch and Judy show. I doubt their misogyny and violence could be the least bit comparable to video games like Grand Theft Auto and the like. Gee
ReplyDeleteTropes change with time and I am sure the Punch and Judy show will too. We are going through a period of extreme rudeness. We don't have enough humility in the States. It is just sad to know it is a problem elsewhere.
Ann: I'm sure you're right that the P&J violence is pretty tame compared with what else is on offer these days. And given that the "traditional" P&J has lasted so long, I somehow doubt if it'll ever be updated.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen a Punch and Judy show - though I know of them, obvs. They always seem a little disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what's gotten into people with all the random abuse. Maybe they're bored. Maybe they just want to be noticed. Maybe they're hungry, or maybe they're just pissed [angry or drunk, either, iether]. Society sometimes seems to be in meltdown.
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Ms Scarlet: People are just losing any sense of politeness or self-restraint. They take the attitude they can do anything they want and if other people object, too bad. Society does indeed seem to be in meltdown.
DeleteAs a child a holiday at the seaside wasn't complete without a visit to a Punch & Judy show, but like you the violence and political aspect didn't register. I don't think my grandson has ever been to one.
ReplyDeletePolly: I'm quite surprised there are still so many of them, considering how out of date they are in the current political and social climate.
DeleteThis "aggression" seems to be worsening worldwide. What's going on?
ReplyDeletepressfortime: I think it's all part of the trend towards increased individualism and self-centredness. Say what you like, do what you like, and if other people object, too bad.
DeletePeople really are so much more aggressive now a days for some reason. Everyone is so entitled, aggressive and loud. If they don't like the show why don't they just move on and not watch it? Instead, they would rather stand there and cause a scene because everyone thinks that they have the right to act stupid these days.
ReplyDeleteMary: Exactly. People think they have the right to act stupid - and disruptive and generally bloody-minded. Whatever happened to common sense and courtesy?
DeleteIt's kind of funny that your example of people behaving more aggressively is people disrupting an extremely aggressive form of entertainment. I always found Punch and Judy horrifying.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, people do seem to be behaving badly of late.
Agent: Yes, there's a big irony there! If only the trouble-makers were protesting against the violence rather than having to pay something.
DeleteWith the rise of capitalism came the rise of individualism and made people feel more entitled to their self centred behaviours. Or so I am led to believe.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing of Punch and Judy but I suspect they have the same kind of position in culture as something like the gruesome fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Humanity employs all kinds of methods to help us process the darkness
Kylie: I'm not sure capitalism leads to individualism. People of limited means don't have the luxury of individualism, they're just doing what they have to do to stay afloat.
DeleteAn interesting idea that things like Punch and Judy help us to process the darkness. Or do they just increase the darkness?
No, they don't increase it, they allow us to look at it and think about it without the brutality of actual violence.
DeletePeople who are rude and self interested aren't doing it to stay afloat though, are they?
Kylie: Yes, re the darkness, that makes sense. But I think if people feel ground down, rudeness might well be a way of staying afloat and maintaining a sense of autonomy.
DeleteThere has been a generally loosening of society's inhibitions beginning in past decades I think. Some of these changes may be positive but others are not. I have never seen a Punch and Judy show and know little about them, but I do dislike entertainers being heckled by an audience in most instances unless the show is designed to encourage that sort of audience interaction.
ReplyDeleteJoared: Heckling performers just interrupts the show and spoils it. If people don't like what they're watching, they're free to leave rather than mar other people's enjoyment.
DeleteCount me among those who have never seen a Punch and Judy sho except for some representations in shows. I had no idea that they were considered violent and as someone else suggested, why not just change the format.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: It wouldn't take much to rewrite the script and remove the violence and misogyny. So what's stopping them?
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