“Punch and Judy, the puppets who have thrilled British children for almost 350 years, may disappear from Britain’s beaches because of a new law requiring puppeteers to apply for entertainment licences.” There are currently 300 Punch and Judy shows across Britain, typically roving from one spot to another where there are strolling families. The “booths are already liable to inspection from councils. The new rules will force them to apply for an additional entertainment licence each time they change pitch, which will not only be expensive but could take up to four weeks to process.” (Rajeev Syal and Graham Mole, “That’s not the way to do it: new law threatens Punch and Judy shows”, Daily Telegraph, Mar. 21). The law could also imperil other traditional English street entertainments such as strolling clowns and — yipes — Morris dancing (”Circus clowns say show must go on”, BBC, Mar. 24). Update Jan. 2, 2006: law took effect in November with only limited exemptions.
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