How to Perform the Puppets.
The Frame should be three feet long and two feet wide: there should be a space of 16 inches high, between the stage, on which the Puppets perform, and the top of the Frame, corresponding to the ceiling of a room, from which a little curtain hangs and in all particulars resembling a miniature theatre, with small wings on the sides, like the scenes in a large theatre, and a curtain in front to drop, or slide across the stage, at the end of each act, is necessary. Immediately above the stage is a small stick running across the top, from which a small fringe hangs, in the style of a curtain, between this fringe and the top of the stage, is a space of 16 inches, for the Puppets to perform.
The hight of the stage, or floor on which the Puppets move, from the ground upward, must be regulated by the hight of the person performing the Figures: the stage, therefore, should never exceed two inches higher than the head of the person who stands behind it, inside of the Frame. This will enable the performer to rest his hands on the back part of the stage without being seen by the audience. Without this relief for the hands to rest on, he could not be able to continue the movement of the Figures to any length of time.
On one end of the Frame (the stage part) is a small socket, in which the end of a movable gallows is fixed.
The whole of the Frame is covered outside with thick cloth, to conceal all that may be done on the inside.
Three bags hang in front of the performer—extending across the Frame; and on the right and left hand sides, are four more pockets—two on each side—making seven altogether; about six or eight inches deep.
In these pockets are placed the little Wooden Actors. Punch and the Doctor, occupy the same bunk. Judy, with her child, and the dog Toby have a bunk to themselves. The Constable and Jack Ketch, room together. The Negro and the Devil have separate berths.
The way to hold the Puppets in order to exhibit them to the public:
Punch is always held by the showman's right hand, his head is wood of course, and should be five inches, allowing two inches for the length of neck would make it seven inches long, five inches from the neck to the top of the head, with a hole, for the finger to rest in, three inches deep. Into this little hole in the head fits the showman's fore finger while his second finger fits into Punch's right hand, and the exhibitor's thumb sets in Punch's left hand. Thus, by the aid of the exhibitor's fore finger and thumb, Punch is enabled to wield the club he carries with such consummate dexterity.
Judy is held by the left hand and managed in the same way: thus, when the exhibitor has Punch and Judy ready to commence the show they are said to be well mounted.
How to make the dresses and to dress the Figures.—The dress of each Puppet is a gown fastened around its neck about thirteen inches long, on to this is sewed the coat, shirt, vest and pantaloons. Inside of the gown the showman thrusts his hand for the working of the little Actor—described above. The Punch Puppet, has a big belly and a haunch on his back between his shoulders, which gives him the appearance of the Lord Mayor of London.
The Play opens by the appearance of Mr. Punch who calls Judy to his aid. Here commences the dance by Punch and Judy, who bow to the audience, then to each other and at the sound of music move off in the dance.
It is not necessary that the feet of the Puppets should be seen, consequently they are seldom brought into view.
The person inside the Frame when dancing the Puppets, must go through all the capers he wishes the Figures to perform; and as he is entirely concealed from view, he can be just as funny as he pleases; and in proportion to his comic actions will the little Actors appear to the audience.
And strange as it may seem should the exhibitor fail to carry out these instructions, namely: of moving his body, so as to correspond with the motions he wishes to give the Figures, the dance of Punch and his wife would be flat—without fun or any interest whatever. Therefore, remember and fail not to put in all the comic points, (motions) for in this lies the secret of giving life and merriment to the Punch and Judy Show.