His Highness of the Hump
Mr. Punch and Mrs. Judy at one time held quite an exalted position among forms of entertainment dear to the heart of the British boy. As far back as the reign of Queen Anne, a well-known periodical devoted quite a considerable space to a criticism of a Punch and Judy performance!
Fig. 1.—The framework.
Fig. 2.—Frames hinged together.
Moreover, in England, less than fifty years ago it was no unusual occurrence for a traveling showman to hire a barn or large room and give a whole evening’s performance with his Punch and Judy.
Punch is just as amusing indoors as out, and the boy who is interested in giving different forms of home entertainment will find a Punch and Judy an excellent addition to his other shows.
The stage upon which Mr. Punch performs his amusing antics is simple of construction.
It will first be necessary to procure six uprights, each 7 feet long and 1 inch thick; and nine crosspieces each 21⁄2 feet long and 1 inch thick.
Take a pair of uprights and join them together with three crosspieces—one at each end and the other in the center. The result will be a framework such as is shown in [Fig. 1]. The four remaining uprights must be similarly treated.
Altogether three frames will have been constructed, and they must be hinged together, as shown in [Fig. 2].
Fig. 3.—The platform.
This may be done with either strips of cloth or small metal hinges. The latter may be purchased from any hardware store for a few cents.
It will be noticed that the framework has only three sides. The fourth side is to be occupied by Punch’s platform, which merely consists of a small board about 6 inches wide and 2 feet 6 inches long. An oblong nick 1 inch by 1⁄2 inch should be cut in each side of this platform, as shown both in [Fig. 3] and A, [Fig. 4]. A cut of similar dimensions must also be made 5 feet 6 inches from the ground in both the front uprights of the framework (B, [Fig. 4]). The incisions in the platform dovetail into those in the uprights. To make all quite secure two small catches (A, [Fig. 4]) are fitted to the ends of the platform, and these clamp round the uprights, holding everything firmly in position.
Fig. 4.—Arrangement for supporting platform on frame.
The framework is now complete, and with the exception of the small space above Punch’s platform, should be covered with dark red or green paper cambric, which may be purchased at five or six cents a yard. The width of the cloth will be found just over 2 feet 6 inches, i.e. the same width as a single frame. The best course, therefore, will be to cut the cloth into seven-foot lengths and nail it with small tacks or brads over each frame separately.
Fig. 5.—Front of show complete.
The space below Punch’s platform, however, is covered in a different manner.
A row of tacks or brads is driven into the front of the two uprights to about three-quarters of their length. A corresponding number of small curtain rings—to be obtained at any hardware store for 5 cents a dozen—are then sewn down the sides of a piece of the cambric 5 feet 6 inches long. By this means the cloth may be hooked to the front of the show, as illustrated in [Fig. 5].