Stage Name Professor James Arnott Availability Full Time Location Fulham, London Equity Member yes Travel for General Shows worldwide Travel for Birthday Parties Within 100 miles Contact Name James Arnott Send Email
Whilst one associates Punch with Birthday Parties and Summer Fetes, he is now equally at home at Shopping Centres, Adult Parties, Schools, Puppet Festivals, Stately Homes and even University Lecture Theatres across the country, all areas that James has taken Mr Punch to, where he has been met with the same enthusiastic welcome no matter the audience.
Punch and Judy for any occasion
Each show is tailored to the individual event, depending upon the bookers' requirements and the audiences at each performance. No two shows are the same, the level of interaction between the puppets and the audience is one of the key elements that keeps Punch and Judy alive, giving it a special place in the audiences' hearts, it's Coronation Street with the television screen removed!
James has been performing with puppets on and off for a dozen years or so, and professionally with Mr Punch and his entourage for the past eight. He is a full time, professional entertainer, but also makes puppets for his own use and for others, recent projects include The Big Half: the small ha’f (Pleasance Theatre, Islington) and Hospitals and other buildings that catch fire (Smirnoff Underbelly, Edinburgh). Last year his show was featured in a promotional video for Harrods Best of British campaign. He has also worked as a puppetry tutor and director with students from RADA and Eton College.
About James
Children love Punch & Judy and James has developed his own fun-filled version of this traditional show. He was mentored by leading members of the profession and sits on the committee of the Punch and Judy Fellowship.
Children's Entertainment
James has also had an enthusiastic love of Magic and Illusion and combines his expertise in this field to produce an ideal children's party package of Magic, Punch & Judy and Balloon Modelling.
Whatever the occasion, wherever the venue, James can provide entertainment to delight. Whether a Birthday Party in the home or local hall, a Wedding Reception or a Christening Celebration, School end-of-term Treat or a Factory Christmas Party, Corporate Family Day or Retail Promotion, James Arnott's Punch & Judy Plus will be enthusiastically enjoyed by your children.
James has performed his traditional Punch and Judy Show at all manner of outdoor events: village fetes and country fairs, school and agricultural fairs, stately homes and parks, beaches and the city streets. Whether you need a single or multiple show, on its own or coupled with balloon modelling and magic the Punch and Judy Show is bound to be a winner with adults and children alike.
Outdoor Events
Each show is tailored to the individual event, depending upon the bookers' requirements and the audiences at each performance. No two shows are the same, the level of interaction between the puppets and the audience is one of the key elements that keeps Punch and Judy alive, giving it a special place in the audiences' hearts, it is Coronation Street with the television screen removed!
The show is entirely self contained, with it's own amplification and can be sighted on hard or soft ground.
The Punch and Judy Show, as performed by James is at home anywhere, even the classroom. When coupled with an educational, but entertaining illustrated talk about the history of Mr Punch, from his time as a marionette, via the streets of London to the British Seaside it becomes a thrilling, informative and fun hour for all involved.
Schools
The children get to take a peek behind the scenes of a real Punch and Judy booth, looking behind the red and white canvas to discover the beautifully hand carved puppets and finding out just what it takes to put on a show. As small hands are always eager to play there is a handling collection of historical and modern Punch and Judy puppets for the children to try. This presentation fits in with studies of Victorian Life and The Seaside (Key Stage 1) and has proven to be a valued addition to the curriculum by teachers and pupils alike.
Educational material for teachers regarding the history of the Punch and Judy show, it's trip to the Victorian seaside, Punch today and cut out dancing Punch and Judy dolls are also available.
James is a member of Equity and sits on the committees of The Punch and Judy Fellowship and Puppeteers UK.
Membership
http://www.jamesarnott.com
Website
