The annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival this year takes place on 14 May.
Sited in the garden of St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, known as the actors' church, the Festival sees practitioners from around the country perform and mark the 355th birthday of Mr Punch.
The British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, The Punch and Judy Fellowship, The College of Punch and Judy Professors, The Puppet Centre Trust and The Union Internationale de la Marionette will all be represented.
The event kicks off at 11AM with a grand procession led by the Superior Brass Band with a birthday toast to Mr Punch and a special church service with Mr Punch in the Pulpit.
The afternoon is filled with Punch And Judy and puppet shows, puppet workshops, stalls, refreshments, folk music from The Lost Marbles String Band, maypole dancing and clowns.
Punch and Judy Professors and entertainers attending include Prof Bryan Clarke, Pete Maggs, Alix Booth, David Wilde, James Bradley, Jacques Devienne (from France), Paul Goddard, Jester Jim, Joey the Clown, Peter Charlton, Chris Gasper, Martyn Cooper, James Arnott, Gingernutt the Clown, Joseph Peek, Chris Somerville, Denise Petit, Richard Coombs, Chris Drewitt, Gordon Hunt, Nic Nicada, Damien Weiss (from France), Ranu Eshankulova (from Uzbekistan), Glyn Edwards, Katey Wilde, Clive Chandler, Len Belmont, Richard Robinson, Paul Tuck and Les King, Will Counsins, Barbara Ray, Clown Salvo, Alison Clark, Gary Wilson, John Thursby, Paul Wheeler, Gary Trimby, Peter Dann, Randolph the Remarkable and James Lyon (from France).
The 42nd Annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival takes place at St Paul’s Church Garden, Covent Garden on 14 May. Admission is free.