I make all my own puppets.
PUPPET MAKING
If you want to treat yourself to a unique puppet, then Mark Poulton, Geoff Felix or Gary Wilson will take a commission.
If you've got an old wooden puppet head in desperate need of TLC then Daniel Hanton can sand it, and give it a fabulous paint job.
Joe Burns will create a wonderful haute-couture costume for any of your figures needing a re-dress.
And of course, everyone knows, if you want a complete set of new puppets, then Bryan Clarke or Miraiker Battey are currently the 'go-to' makers to buy from.
They are both veritable carving 'factories'.
They can turn them out fast and affordable whether you are just starting out, or replacing your worn out work-set after many years use.
Punch performers like me, who make all their own Puppets and Theatres are the exception to the norm, and a rarity.
Most buy what they need from the people listed above.
I don't make puppets for any other performers.
Other Puppet Makers :
The advantage to making all my own characters, is being able to make more than just the 'regular cast' of puppets at fairly short notice.
A hang over from my Spitting Image days I guess: the desire to be topical and unique.
For the Queens Jubilee year there were lots of specialised puppets.
I carve in Lime wood for the faces, with oak for the noses.
This is a very traditional approach. But I tend to do this mainly for the 'Regular' Cast in the show : Punch, Judy, Clown, Policeman etc.
For the topical or novelty characters, I am just as likely to sculpt using paper mache pulp as I am to carve in wood.
To achieve my signature 'Crocodile Routine' I need duplicate versions of Mr Punch (and the Crocodile)...shhh! Don't tell anyone !
That means every five years or so, when I replace my Mr. Punch, I need to carve several duplicate heads. And sew identical costumes too.
I'm always remaking and updating the puppets in the show . The Policeman on the left was made during my last year at Drama School in Bristol. The one on the right was added into the show in 2023.
That means there is 40 years between the two !
The new Queen Victoria (on the left) was made for the 2022 Jubilee Show.
This time there's only 15 years between them, but I was never really happy with the first one.
My least favourite part of the whole process - making hands.
Even so, I have developed my own method for making them.
And at least I know they have a unique look, that lets you identify a Coombsie Puppet at fifty paces.
The Queen of Hearts is another odd character to find in a Punch and Judy Show
But I like to shake things up a bit.
She visited Mr Punch during Queen Elizabeths Jubilee Show in 2022
Queen Elizabeth the First was in The Jubilee Shows for Elizabeth the Second in both 2012 and 2022
Hundreds of hours of work went into this one.
So it was nice to give her a second appearance on stage!
My cat, Bugsy, inspects the quality of the work.
These Punch costumes will be for the next set of duplicates.
Probably ready for the 2025 season at Heights?
Designs for new Judy and Joey for Heights 2025 Summer season
My Pearly Queen first appeared in Queen Elizabeths Jubilee Show at The Heights Of Abraham
She's now a firm favourite in my Care Home Shows.
