The figure who later became Mr. Punch makes his first recorded appearance in England

The Punch and Judy show is a traditional British puppet performance that dates back to the 17th century, rooted in the Italian commedia dell’arte. The central character, Mr. Punch, is instantly recognizable by his hooked nose, hunched back, and shrill, squawking voice—created with a special device called a swazzle. The plot usually involves a chaotic series of slapstick encounters between Punch and various figures like his wife Judy, a baby, a policeman, a crocodile, and sometimes even the Devil. What makes the show iconic is its dark, exaggerated humor and satirical take on authority and domestic life, often delivered through outrageous violence played for laughs. Though modern sensibilities have led to some revisions in content, Punch and Judy still survives today—mainly at British seaside towns and festivals—as a quirky cultural artifact and a relic of anarchic street theatre.