Since this thread starts with a quote from me, I s'pose I ought to put me twopennorth in. - I am all for standards, who sets them, - There is the quandry, I tried to start a discussion on a theoretical criteria a little while back with the usual results. - Mostly, I have to admit because of my poor use of language, - correcting oneself verbally is much easier than the harshness of the written word without the benefit of facial expression! My intent was to find the elements that we, the practitioners, value in a show. I (Of course) maintain that there are
two schools of Punch, namely (As Chris stated) 'The kiddies entertainment field' (Mainstream?) and my(possibly more adult) 'Punch Showman' Obviously, if one accepts that this is the case, The criteria
has to vary slightly between the two, Some of
My material would not fit in with kiddies parties, some of (Say)
'Uncle Bozo's' would limit mine. Famously, of course, I disagree with the use of a swazzle as a basic, as, although a well-swazzled show is a delight, a poorly done one brings the whole image down. How many out there are doing poor shows simply because they are trying to master the call?? - I AM NOT SAYING THAT THE CALL IS NOT IMPORTANT, merely that it should not be seen as essential. My belief is that show quality should be first, swazzling a close second. Not all shows historically were swazzled, but the elements of the business were the same.
I have to admit that I wonder whether this whole arguement is academic, given that we are a bunch of individuals making a living from a principal character who is, himself, anti-establishment and anti-authority, all of whom have our own versions of the same basic script producing widely differing shows, which proves that we are
all sympathetic to the persona of 'Himself' and thereby, individuals. Surely it is hardly surprising therefore that we, unlike most other professions have no real governing body and cannot unanimously agree a criteria? I think Nick had the right of it when he mentioned 'Giving Punch a bad name' THAT is what we should have as the First rule, That the show must maintain the life, quality and history that has sustained it for the last few centuries, It must be left to the next generations
by us, as vibrant as it came
to us!
