Friday Fun: Mr. Punch’s Russian Cousin, Petrushka

An antique "Petrushka"
marionette

Mr. Punch has cousin all over the world who look and act quite a bit like him. His Russian counterpart is called “Petrushka” (meaning Parsley). Dressed in red with a jester’s painted face, Petrushka has a long nose like Mr. Punch and a very similar “swazzle”-created voice.


Petrushka also relies on slapstick comedy, but the stories take a slightly different approach than the adventures of Mr. Punch. Petrushka stories focus on his military service, his medical treatment and his training of a horse.

Thanks to Chris van der Craats (Australia’s “Professor Whatsit”), we get this fascinating glimpse at this Russian puppet cousin to our Mr. Punch.

Friday Fun: Mr. Punch in Australia

“He’s trying to eat you!”  This video clip of Mr. Punch, filmed by Chris van der Craats (“Professor Whatsit”) at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia, demonstrates exactly why the art of the Punch Professor is so wonderful.  The interaction with the children in the audience is remarkable.