41st Annual May Fayre & Puppet Festival
By Maggie Pinhorn
On the 9th of May 1662 the famous diarist Samuel Pepys was wandering around Covent Garden when he came upon an Italian puppet play ‘Pulchinella’. This was the first recorded sighting of Mr Punch in England, now commemorated by a special plaque to be found on the Portico wall of St Paul’s Church in the Covent Garden Piazza.
In search of ways to celebrate the history & identity of Covent Garden when it was threatened with demolition, local arts organisation Alternative Arts decided to celebrate this famous character and invite all the Punch performers, known as ‘Professors’, to the garden of St Paul’s Church and create a day of free entertainment. The event was so popular that it has happened every year since on the second Sunday in May.
What’s on
This year will be the 41st Annual May Fayre & Puppet Festival celebrating Mr Punch’s 354th birthday. On Sunday 8 May the day will start at 11am with a Grand Procession around the neighbourhood, followed by a special church service at 12noon and then loads of Punch & Judy & Puppet Shows all day with lots of stalls, many selling puppet related items, and teas and home-made cakes made by the Food Chain who raise funds for people living with HIV in London.
Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival 2015 – Pic: Alternative Arts
Punch and Judy ‘Professors’ and puppeteers from all over the country and other parts of Europe, America and Australia attend and perform throughout the day. They look forward to meeting each other and discussing the mechanics of their crocodiles. Many people who once lived in Covent garden return on this day to meet up with each other and join in the celebrations.
Puppeteers at Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival 2015 – Pic: AlternativeArts
Punch & Judy
The May Fayre has become an important platform and annual focal point for the popular art form that is Punch & Judy, serving to maintain the tradition in Covent Garden with its unique history as the original home of Mr Punch in England. Mr Punch is an anarchic character, he pokes fun at the establishment and certainly does not meet with everyone’s approval, which is probably why he is so popular with children. The fact that the Covent Garden May Fayre has lasted so long has a lot to do with the history and determination of the local community and all the Punch Professors & puppeteers involved. It is a true celebration of our cultural heritage. Long may it continue……
Mr Puch – Pic: AlternativeArts
What: Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival
When: Sunday 8 May 2016, at 11am
Where: The Actors’ Church, St Paul’s Covent Garden, Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED
Cost: Free
