Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival celebrated the anniversary of the first recorded sighting of Mr Punch, an early version of today’s Punch & Judy show. The free, family-friendly event took place on the second Sunday of May, except for the Covid-19 pandemic, which made it impossible to host.
The event started in 1976 and brought together Punch & Judy professors and puppeteers from all over the world. It is inspired by diarist Samuel Pepys, who recalls seeing “an Italian puppet play 鈥� a great resort for gallants within the rayless of Covent Garden” in May 1662. Pepys’ puppet sighting is recorded by a plaque on the wall of St Paul’s Church, unveiled in 1962.
A grand procession led by a brass band kicked off the day’s celebrations at 11 am and paraded around the Covent Garden neighbourhood. The procession was followed by a special service at 12 pm in St Paul’s Church, also known as ‘the Actor’s Church’ for its theatrically-inclined congregation, with Mr Punch in the pulpit.
After the church service, the fayre took place in the church garden with stalls, Punch & Judy shows, puppeteering workshops, live music, and maypole dancing. The event offered an afternoon of wholesome, family-friendly fun, free of charge.
The Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival is a unique event that celebrates the historical significance of Punch & Judy shows in the UK. It is an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a day of entertainment and celebration.
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