THE last remaining Punch and Judy shows are at risk, as staff face verbal abuse and physical threats.
The puppet show dates back to 16th century Italy, but gained popularity in Britain with characters including Baby, Constable and The Crocodile.
But the seaside institution is now under threat with only a few full-time shows left – with two performers saying they’ve experienced a rapid rise in verbal attacks and refusal to pay.
Professional Punch and Judy performer Joe Burns, from Brighton, said this year has been by far the worst ever for abuse.
The 29-year-old, who started performing at the age of 12, currently performs on Swanage Beach in Dorset, where Punch and Judy has been on show since 1904.
“What we are doing is so important heritage wise that if we leave then there is no-one left doing it properly full time on the beaches,” he said.
"But the amount of abuse is putting that heritage at risk, and I plead with people to realise and understand that.
"We are trying to entertain people, but as soon as I finish several people are telling my show collector to f**k off.”
Joe said people not wanting to pay is not a new issue but has got worse recently.
“It just seems so much worse this year,” he said. "Previously it might have been a few times a season, but now it is a daily occurrence. I am not really sure why, but it is hard to see."
The Brightonian, who performs 125 shows during the summer holiday season, said there is a misconception that performers are funded and subsidised.
“In reality we are not. We have to pay to set up the show, for the licence and to rent the area beach,” he said.
"We are constantly being shouted out. Lots of effing and blinding from people who don't want to pay.
"It is a children's show, and I don't understand the mentality that makes people behave that way."
Joe, along with Mark Poulton in Weymouth, Dorset, and Jason Codman in Llandudno in Wales are the last three full-time Punch and Judy performers at British beaches.
Joe said violence and threats of violence are also too rife.
“I was squared up to earlier in the season and another one walked after me and my collector screaming and shouting 'how dare you ask for money’,” he said.
Mark said took to social media to urge guests to not abuse him or his staff.
A statement said: "Unfortunately Mark’s wonderful collector has been subjected to some awful treatment, simply for doing her job.
"If you don’t wish to pay for the show, please politely decline and move along, please don’t hurl abuse at people simply for trying to make a living.
"This pandemic nearly killed this industry. So let’s treasure it and be grateful that we still have it."#
The Punch and Judy performances cost £2 to watch.
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