Review by Lauren Russell
'Punching Judy' by SkinnedTeeth Theatre is a whirlwind of a dark tragicomedy, bringing an old story to life with hilarious slapstick skits and slick combat scenes, whilst diving into themes of deadly violence.
You might think this traditional tale of big-nosed puppets provoking children's laughter is harmless... but in 'Punching Judy' these well-known characters are far from that. Punch and Judy have been a staple of British entertainment for centuries, its hook-nosed, club-wielding anti-hero beating his way through a cast of characters including his wife, a policeman, and even the devil himself, all to the delight of watching children. We have laughed at this grotesque little man for hundreds of years without much question. 'Punching Judy' shines a clever light (metaphorically and literally) on how this heavily aggressive storyline, however amusing, is also rather monstrous. In fact, I left wondering why people still perform this for children today.
The spark between the two performers is electric. Bethany Irving and Mike Swain light up the stage with precise fight choreography (by fight director Jack Stockdale-Haley) and explosive physicality that leaves you one second laughing at pure clowning, the next sitting in uncomfortable silence as something painfully real lands. It is obvious this is a well-rehearsed piece of work, yet in the moment it feels gloriously rough and ready, which earned many a gasp from the audience.
Staying true to the original's parade of characters (policeman, doctor, crocodile and all) Irving's multi-roling is nothing short of explosive. She snaps between them with total commitment as the action shifts from a larger-than-life sized puppet theatre to a real-life living room, never losing a beat. Swain, meanwhile, says volumes with his outstanding facial expressions alone. His energy is enigmatic, bringing layer upon layer to a character as old as time (or at least as old as puppet theatres). The play weaves together puppetry, clowning, armed combat, naturalistic scenes, and music into a seamlessly chaotic story that somehow never loses its thread.
Written and directed by Irving and Swain themselves, 'Punching Judy' stretches reality to its limits and, like an elastic band, snaps you back to the world we know. At its core it reflects a story that is too often heard: two toxic people, a new baby, and tensions that build until words are being thrown as well as fists. What is so unsettling is how little the story has aged. Punch's gleeful disregard for consequence, his charm, his volatility, his victims, it all feels less like a relic and more like a headline. Judy is aggressive and physical, and once provoked, Punch loses it entirely. You will hate them both equally, and in quieter moments, feel an unexpected pang of pity for them too.
'Punching Judy' is a bold, brilliantly performed, debut production by SkinnedTeeth Theatre. A thought-provoking piece that lingers with you long after you leave. Go and see it and take someone you love to giggle with (but certainly leave the children at home).
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Punching Judy will run at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe. For more information visit https://www.instagram.com/skinnedteeththeatre/
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