Contact us: davidwildepunch@gmail.com | 07941 245491
Children's entertainment is not just being skilled in magic and puppetry but also calls for the ability to register with children, the need to appeal to them on their level and yet still maintain discipline and this is where David's great experience shows. Recently David performed for His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Covent Garden.
David has a wealth of experience presenting Punch & Judy shows al fresco. He has worked on the beach, in London parks, at agricultural shows and at village carnivals and school fun days. Whether you need a single show or a series of shows throughout an event Punch & Judy will be one of the highlights for many people - and not only the children! Mr Punch certainly draws the crowds! The traditional Punch & Judy show presented by Professor David Wilde is authentic, and one of the best to be seen in Britain. David learnt his craft on the London Streets around the famous Covent Garden. He is an authority on this branch of puppetry and is a leading member of the Punch and Judy Club, the elite of Punch & Judy Professors.
The Punch & Judy Show, a British Icon, has always been popular in schools for end of term parties and annual fun days. Currently, in term time David is finding that many teachers find that a Punch and Judy workshop, an illustrated talk, performance and question session, forms a stimulating topic for their pupils, fitting in neatly with Victorian studies and The Seaside (Key Stage 1). David can talk knowledgeably on the Punch story, how the character emerged first as a string puppet in 17th Century London, as observed by Samuel Pepys, and in Victorian Times became a street entertainment as a glove puppet. Then, with the emerging popularity and growth of the coastal resorts, Mr. Punch followed the crowds to the seaside
It is a traditional show, with all the usual knock about fun loved by children of all ages, and has been seen at the V&A Museum, Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, Sothebys and on BBC Television.
Gallery
Just some of the recent events we have performed at. Click on a photo to enlarge.
Book a show davidwildepunch@gmail.com | 07941 245491
The Victorian Show
Professor David Wilde’s Victorian Punch and Judy Show is the only one of its kind available to book in the world. It is performed with genuine Victorian puppets, hand carved in 1890, in a stunning 9 foot high theatre, which is over 120 years old.
Living Heritage
David holds an extensive archive on Punch and Judy and the history of the show. This includes photographs, glass slides, illustrations and Victorian puppets and memorabilia, including this rare Jesson slide from the late 1800s.
Book a show davidwildepunch@gmail.com | 07941 245491
Puppet Hire
Ventriloquist Doll, Marionettes and Hand Puppets
Although a keen collector David is also eager to share his enthusiasm. He loans ventriloquist figures and Punch sets for displays and exhibitions, and also hires out items of his collection for films and theatrical productions. Many famous makers are represented in David's collection including the vent work of Leonard Insull and Punch figures by Quisto, Wal Kent, Bryan Clarke, Tony Green, Joe Parsonage, Teddy Corden, Geoff Felix, and a host of others.
One of the real prizes of the David Wilde collection is surely the Wal Kent Punch figure which was used by Tony Hancock in the film The Punch and Judy Man. Tracking down this puppet took years of detective work by David and his Grandfather and the figure was eventually located on the Continent. Having found the owner it then took a great deal of persuasion before this important piece of Punch history could be returned to Britain to join this unique collection.
David can also provide appraisals of Punch and Judy puppets and ventriloquist figures for auction houses, museums and private collectors.
Explore a small selection of puppets for hire. If you have specific requirements please do get in touch.
Book a Show
Children's entertainment is not just being skilled in magic and puppetry but also calls for the ability to register with children, the need to appeal to them on their level and yet still maintain discipline and this is where David's great experience shows.
David has a wealth of experience presenting Punch & Judy shows al fresco. He has worked on the beach, in London parks, at agricultural shows and at village carnivals, school fun days and living heritage events. Whether you need a single show or a series of shows throughout an event Punch & Judy will be one of the highlights for many people and not only the children! Mr Punch certainly draws the crowds!
The traditional Punch & Judy show presented by Professor David Wilde is authentic, and one of the best to be seen in Britain. David learnt his craft on the London Streets around the famous Covent Garden. He is an authority on this branch of puppetry and is a leading member of the Punch and Judy Club, the elite of Punch & Judy Professors.
To hire a Punch and Judy show contact David with your event requirements.
Parties
In addition to his Punch and Judy skills David also presents Ventriloquism, Balloon Modelling and Magic. He is a skilful all round children's entertainer and offers a great deal of experience.
David presents delightful entertainment for any event where children are present whether it be a Birthday Party, End-of-term treat, Christening, Wedding or Seasonal Promotion.
With shows suitable for any venue, be it private house, community hall or school classroom, David offers a mixture of Puppets, Magic and Punch and Judy as well as organising party games and making fascinating balloon animals .
The content of the show can be varied to suit the age-range of the children as well as the length of entertainment required. David's magic is colourful and surprising, with a great deal of audience participation. Children love magic, but do like to be involved. They delight in lots of laughs and comedy situations and eagerly offer to help the magician. David happily lets many of the children help and, if it is a birthday party, will ensure that the Birthday Child becomes a featured Magician's Assistant. There are occasions when a child is shy and would be uncomfortable being singled out. David is quick to spot such situations and will never press a reluctant child. The children's enjoyment is his sole consideration.
To hire a Punch and Judy show contact David with your event requirements.
Videos
Click on a video to see the show in action.