The Covent Garden MAYFAYRE
THE COVENT GARDEN MAYFAYRE began in 1975. It is the UK's longest running Puppet Festival. Although technically not begun as a Punch and Judy Festival, that is pretty much what it has become.
All forms of puppetry are welcome, but more than 90% of folk who perform there on the second Sunday in May are Punch Shows.
That is because on MAY 9th Mr.Punch celebrates his BIRTHDAY !
So, like me, he is a Taurus. And to be specific it is May 9th 1662 .
Samuel Pepys gave us that date thanks to a teeny tiny entry in his Diary. It wasn't much, a couple of lines. But it was the first time any mention of this 'Italian puppet Show' was actually written down in print.
Although Punch was probably in England a bit before that time, this was the first verifiable documentation.
And that is why, from all over the country, and further afield, Punch performers gather to celebrate the Birthday of our red nosed friend.
There is a stone plaque on the front of St.Pauls Church acknowledging Pepys sighting of Mr. Punch.
And it is here we gather with our puppets literally on our hands, to give Mr. Punch three cheers on his Birthday.
It's impossible to overstate what a Pilgrimage spot this is for Punch performers and enthusiasts.
That's why the Mayfayre always kicks off with a procession to the Plaque.
Then everything moves round to the back of the Church into its secluded walled garden where shows run all day, one right after another.
A path bisects the garden into two lawns, and on this magical Sunday, both greens are lined with Punch and Judy Shows.
It is a golden opportunity to chat with other Punch performers, so many of whom have travelled huge distances for this annual pilgrimage.
Many non Punch puppeteers from film and television can also be found mingling in the crowds.
And of course its always nice to spend time with my fellow performers from The Punch and Judy CLUB.
Bryan Clarke is not only an elder statesman of a performer, but also a hugely prolific maker of Punch figures for sale ....pretty much everyone working today has owned one of Bryans Punches at one time or another.
His own birthday is only a couple of days before Mr. Punch .
When Bryan turned 80, everyone at the Mayfayre had secretly brought along a Bryan Punch to totally surround him with his own creations.
So if you want to see as many different Punch shows as possible in one day, head along to the Covent Garden Mayfayre for Mr. Punches Birthday extravaganza.
Sadly, I will no longer be taking my show down and performing. Mine is an unashamedly big show, in a large theatre . It has to travel in my big van.
London has never made high top vans very welcome. Nearly all car parks have barriers height restricted for cars only.
And worse, since Covid, all parking bays have been removed from the entire block around St Pauls Church. Even performers with smaller shows that can come by car, are struggling with parking further away.
Every year since the Festival first began, Richard Robinson has designed a glorious poster. Here is this years masterpiece:
