Punch and Judy Alive and Well in Litchfield

Mr. Punch and his delightful wife Judy, puppet performers for over 400 years, are returning to the Litchfield Historical Society's Children's Summer Series on Wednesday, July 10 at 11 a.m. The whole family will enjoy the noisy, rowdy fun of these traditional puppets.

Punch and Judy is the oldest continuous English-speaking puppet show, first appearing in London in the late 1600s. Robert Olson of Old Sturbridge Village has adapted this ancient puppet play to appeal to 20th century audiences. His show is taken from actual mid-19th century scripts that were published in both England and the United States.

"Punch's first appearance in America was in the late 1790s," said Olson. "By the 1860s, Punch had become accepted as family entertainment in America. There were professional puppeteers who traveled about doing shows. Parents could buy Punch and Judy puppets and books for their children. Punch is often rowdy, but I introduce Mr. Punch as an actor in a role, and as an actor he merely plays the part."

Olson, a staff member at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts for over 20 years, recreates many period forms of entertainment. In addition to the research that he has done on Punch and Judy, to bring back the fun and laughter of the past for 20th century audiences, he also works on recreating shadow puppet shows and magic shows of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Olson's Punch and Judy show is the first performance of the Litchfield Historical Society's 15th annual Children's Summer Series. The series includes a different performance each of the last four Wednesdays in July. During each performance, audience members will discover stories and music from 100 years ago. Leeny Del Seamonds will tell American stories during her performance "Home of the Brave" on July 17, and performer Brian Gillie will dance and sing his way through history in "Song, Dance and the Possibilities" on July 24; the series will conclude with the Proper Ladies presentation of "Victorian Voices: Fun and Games" on July 31.

The performances will be held on the lawn of the Tapping Reeve House & Law School, 82 South St. (Route 63) in Litchfield; the rain location is the Church House of St. Michael's Parish, 23 South St. Admission is free, and all are welcome; audience members are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs. For more info call the Litchfield History Museum at 860-567-4501.