Ever popular and ever changing with the times Mr. Punch has been with us in one form or another for over 350 years.

For the most accurate and detailed history you’ll find online read That's the Way to Do it! A History of Punch and Judy by Catherine Haill, Senior Curator, V&A Department of Theatre and Performance.

The V&A also holds the overall most significant collection of Punch and Judy material including The George Speaight Collection - probably the world's best paper archive on the history and development of Punch and Judy – as well as related items from the British Puppet & Model Theatre Collection and the Gerald Morice Collection.

Many of these are accessible by searching the V&A online collections.

For videos follow the Onscreen link above. For a general introduction to Mr. Punch and his long career read on.

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You can download a printable version of this general guide here. (PDF 1MB)

Original guide design by Dave Walsh Creative. Text: Glyn Edwards. Mr Punch puppet: Wal Kent. Punchinello and other puppets: Mary Edwards.