19 Aug 2026
Episode 54: Daniel Hanton - Punch and Judy Entertainer
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Daniel Hanton – Punch & Judy Performer
As a child, Daniel Hanton's first experience of Punch and Judy was on the beaches of Great Yarmouth, watching Guy Richardson and Mike Wallis, or on a trip down the road to Lowestoft to see Professor Jingles. Growing up in a seaside resort, his summer holidays were a magical time, filled with plenty of entertainment for him to enjoy.
Spending his summers watching the show, with the sand between his toes, transported Daniel to another world of sandcastles and ice creams. Looking back, he remembers being fascinated by the booth. Was there a staircase inside for the puppets to walk up and down? Did Mr Punch really have a bed that he couldn't see?
It may seem silly now, but as a child, Daniel believed that each performer had created a little world for their characters — a world that the audience could truly believe in. He remembers feeling short-changed if there was no painted scenery and just a black backdrop, and he still feels the same today. For Daniel, it all helps create that magical pretend world that feels completely real to children.
He was fascinated, almost obsessed, by Punch as a child — and he still is today. His passion began by performing shows for the other children on his street, using a small cut-out puppet theatre balanced on top of the garden wall. He would hide behind it, just as he had seen the professional performers disappear inside their booths.
For Daniel, being a Punch and Judy performer is the best thing in the world. There was, however, one location where he always wanted to perform the show: the very place where he had first discovered Punch and Judy — the beach.
In 2019, Daniel brought Punch's voice back to the sands of Gorleston-on-Sea beach, after an absence of 30 years.
Today, Daniel performs his traditional Punch and Judy show throughout East Anglia, appearing at carnivals, fetes, country estates, festivals and private parties. He particularly loves hearing the laughter of the audience, especially children who can laugh and shout as loudly as they want.
For Daniel, creating a pantomime puppet world that can be enjoyed by families aged 3 to 103 is a privilege. This good old-fashioned British entertainment has delighted audiences for more than 350 years — a remarkable testament to the enduring love of a little wooden puppet.
Please see links below to contact Daniel
https://punchandjudyclub.com/members/daniel-hanton.html
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