Codman's Punch and Judy Show

[ChrisGeorge]

Hi all

On another thread in "Liverpool Past and Present" 5th beatle kindly directed us to a great film of Liverpool from the 70's with a mellow soundtrack freaturing music by The Nero "Out of Time" on YouTube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yID88wFMims&mode=related&search=

One nice segment in this video is the Punch and Judy show run by Codman's that was for years at the side of St. George's Hall but is in the video shown in their later location in Williamson Square.

Codman's was a Liverpool institution and also did their Punch and Judy show at Llandudno. For pics and history go to

Professor Codman's Wooden Headed Follies Liverpool and Llandudno (http://www.punchandjudy.com/codgal.htm)

Daily Post article on Codman's Punch and Judy Show (http://www.punchandjudy.com/dailypost040703.htm)

BBC site on Punch & Judy in Liverpool (http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory/journey/lime_street/punch_judy/liverpool.shtml)

Codman's first came to Liverpool in the 1860's. Set up originally in Lime Street, on a roundabout called the Quadrant between the Northwestern Hotel and Lime Street Station and St. John's Market, the authorities had the show moved to the side of St. George's Hall in 1957. Later the show was moved to Williamson Square then to the the Museum of Liverpool Life.

Could any of our ace photographers post some pics? Thanks in advance!

Chris

[Norm NZ]

ChrisG, I have a pic (from the 'Echo') taken in 1950 but still hav'nt learned how to post pics onto the site! can e'mail it to you if you're interested.

[ChrisGeorge]

ChrisG, I have a pic (from the 'Echo') taken in 1950 but still hav'nt learned how to post pics onto the site! can e'mail it to you if you're interested.

Thanks, Norm. I have PM'd you.

Chris

[MissInformed]

there's a chapter in a Whittington Egan book about it.
Will quote some later when I get home.:)

[Ged]

I take it some of you will have seen the dvd - Liverpool in the 70s and 80s? which features footage of the show and an interview with the son/grandson who took over.

[MissInformed]

oohh i haven't ...:shock:

[ChrisGeorge]

Norm NZ sent this clipping from the Echo which shows a photograph of Codman's Punch and Judy show taken in 1950. Norm says, "this was in a 'souvenir' copy of the Echo which I obtained when last in Liverpool about 1987 entitled 'Echoes of Liverpool'." Thanks, Norm!

Chris

[Ged]

You can see why it was moved from the Quadrant to the Plateau can't you. Nearly as congested as it is today :)

[PhilipG]

This is from an Echo publication of 1988.
Further details are on the scan.

[ChrisGeorge]

This is from an Echo publication of 1988.
Further details are on the scan.

Great photo. Thanks, Philip.

Chris

[The Gardens]

I believe Codman's grandfather had killed a crocodile, but if it wasn't him, he had a hand in it!

[ChrisGeorge]

I believe Codman's grandfather had killed a crocodile, but if it wasn't him, he had a hand in it!

Hello The Gardens

Not sure if you are being serious or not. The "hand in it" applies to the Punch and Judy show since they are hand-operated puppets. And doesn't a crocodile feature in Punch and Judy? My immediate thought about it was, did he lose a hand, and if so, how could he have done the puppet show? :celb (6):

Chris

[Ged]

It was also said that after retiring from the show, he went driving for Nescafe and actually overturned a lorry by the Mons pub (now the Hilltop)

It was reported at the time that 'There's an awful lot of coffee in Breeze Hill.'

[Ged]

ChrisGeorge. An earlier source of information from above has recently informed me that the Codman chap also instigated a contract/agreement with Pinnochio - with no strings attached.

[ChrisGeorge]

ChrisGeorge. An earlier source of information from above has recently informed me that the Codman chap also instigated a contract/agreement with Pinnochio - with no strings attached.

Thanks, Ged. I'll nose around and see if I can find out more. :Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:

Chris

[Kev]

Some images - Courtsey of Liverpool City Library and the Records Office: