THE puppeteer behind a Punch and Judy show in Weymouth has dismissed claims that the popular performances trivialise abuse.

A council in Wales recently axed a planned show after deciding that the performance would be at odds with their standpoint on domestic violence.

Professor Mark Poulton has run a popular show on Weymouth seafront since 2005.

He said that the perception that Punch and Judy shows trivialised violence was “basically rubbish” and defended his own performances. He said that his act was always changing and that he was hard at work on devising this year’s show.

He added: “People tend to think the show is the same as it was a hundred years ago. There is a difference between slapstick and violence.”

Professor Poulton took over from the previous Weymouth Punch and Judy man, Professor Guy Higgins, who had run the show every summer since 1974 and was presented with a borough crest for his services.

Punch and Judy performances have been a fixture of the British seafront entertainment scene for more than 350 years, characterised by their slapstick and silliness.

Cllr Jason Osborne, tourism and culture briefholder for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said that Punch and Judy shows are part of seaside tradition.

He added: “Kids love it and, although I understand what they are saying, I do not think it trivialises domestic violence. [The show] is so silly that it is funny.

“It does not make people go home and be violent and it should be taken in the way it is meant to be taken - as light-hearted fun.

Mr Punch originated in Italy as a character called ‘Punchinello’, who was soon joined by his wife Judy.

Famous diarist Samuel Pepys wrote about the shows when they arrived in London’s Covent Garden in 1662.

Many shows feature slapstick sequences of violence and some include Mr Punch hitting his wife with a stick.

Professor Poulton’s show is set to return on May 28.