WEYMOUTH’s resident Punch and Judy show will not be running this year due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The puppeteer of the show, Professor Mark Poulton, cited a number of reasons as to why the show will not go on this summer.

The puppet show is a huge part of summer tradition in Weymouth and has been a mainstay of beachfront entertainment for over 100 years.

Each performer is known as a professor and Professor Poulton is only the seventh to be based on Weymouth beach since the inception of the show.

The bulk of the income from the show is made across the summer months and Professor Poulton does not believe the six-week window of opening will be financially sufficient. In addition, most of the usual expenditure would be charged at the same rate as a full season, but only used over a six-week period.

Social distancing measures having to be enforced would lead to limited numbers in the audience, which would in turn lead to fewer takings. Additional staff may have even been required to enforce correct distancing which would be yet another financial setback.

Audience participation, a big part of Professor Poulton’s performances, would have to be actively discouraged in the current climate.

Professor Poulton also believes that opening this year would be a huge financial risk, as there is still a chance of a second wave, which, with the money which would have to be spent on a relaunch, could have huge financial implications.

He has applied for grants to help with the running of the show, but unfortunately the business has so far been ineligible for the assistance applied for.

The tradition of the Weymouth Punch and Judy show dates all the way back to the 1880’s. Professor Poulton has run the show on Weymouth seafront since 2005 when he took over from previous operator, Professor Guy Higgins, who had run the show every summer since 1974.

Professor Poulton said that the decision was not taken lightly and that the decision was made after a number of conversations with Weymouth Town Council, Environmental Health and Health and Safety Executive.

The show has had financial difficulties in recent years, being aided by the community through Crowdfunder campaigns.

Professor Poulton hopes to be able to operate again in 2021.