Punch and Judy returns to Weymouth Beach
The pair have had a long time off during the pandemic
Punch and Judy shows are returning to Weymouth Beach this weekend.
The last show took place in December 2019 after coronavirus restrictions prevented the puppets returning last summer. Now, the first show is scheduled to take place this Sunday.
Audiences were capped at 30 people throughout the summer of 2020, but because of the nature of the show there was no way puppetmaster Professor Mark Poulton could guarantee everyone would stick to the rules.
He told Greatest Hits Radio:
"I could have opened last summer but we would have had to restrict the audience to 30, there's no way of restricting an audience on a beach.
"We didn't know if it was going to be viable, so I made the decision. I'm just so pleased to be back now."
The easing of coronavirus restrictions means shows like Mark's can get up and running again, after a long and hard year away.
But, more than anything, Mark said he's looking forward to seeing the smiles on children's faces again:
"I'm looking forward to getting into the booth, giving the performance, that's where I get my buzz from.
"I remember as a small child watching the show making that decision that I was going to do Punch and Judy and I want people to get that same buzz that I got from watching it."