Celebrating 25 years as Punch and Judy performer

PUNCH and Judy man Mike Stone, who has achieved notoriety in his time for performing nude and X-rated shows for adults, is celebrating his silver jubilee in the puppet business.

Mike, who performs under the name Sergeant Stone, set out on the puppet path 25 years ago after spurning a career as a Jaffa Cake.

Mike was a struggling actor in the Seventies when he decided to try his hand at glove puppetry.

The turning point came after he spent two weeks dressed as a Jaffa Cake for a supermarket promotion.

He got a book out of Brighton Library called How To Do Punch And Judy.

Since then he has never looked back and thousands of children have told him: "That's the way to do it."

Mike made his debut at West Blatchington Infants School, Hove, on June 12, 1974, before moving to Brighton Beach near the Palace Pier where he does three shows a day during the summer.

He now reckons he is the longest-serving Punch and Judy man in Britain, using the same puppets he started with.

To mark his silver jubilee, Mike is throwing a beach party on June 12 and wants to invite members of his first audiences from the Seventies.

Mike, 43, said: "They must be grown up by now and probably have kids themselves.

"It would be lovely to meet up with them again because it is the audience who were, and still are, such an important part of the show."

However, Mike did spark outrage among feminists when he performed an X-rated production of Punch and Judy at night-time cabarets in Brighton in 1989.

In the adults-only version, Punch enjoyed nights of passion with a girlfriend called Pretty Polly, until Judy found out and murdered her. Another storyline involved a policeman being decapitated.

At the time, Mike defended the show against accusations of sexism by saying Judy gave as good as she got.

He added defiantly: "People love my X-certificate version and the bluer the better."

Mike also displayed cool cheek and caused a few blushes when he performed his show in the nude during a heatwave in the town.

Mike has performed in four languages at puppet festivals all over the world and insists he never gets bored with the show.

He said: "Every show is a new experience for me.

"The children stop me getting bored because I am never too sure what they are going to come out with.

"I think a show has gone well when I really interact with the kids and there's lots of shouting.

"When Punch is deciding whether to pinch those sausages, you could hear a pin drop."

He added: "Despite the modern electronic distractions, children will always love a show.

"Punch and Judy have put the fun into dysfunctional.

"Like EastEnders, Brookside and Coronation Street, everyone loves a good conflict."

Mike rejected claims that the violence in Punch and Judy gave out the wrong message to children.

He said: "You might just as well say that Goldilocks and the Three Bears encourages squatting.

"I don't think they encourage violence.

"People are always fascinated by conflict. It makes the best drama."

"Brighton is one of the last seaside resorts which can boast a free Punch and Judy show. Now I am looking forward to celebrating my golden jubilee."

The silver jubilee party takes place at the lower promenade, opposite the Grand Hotel, and will include clowns, jugglers, music and a tea party.

A 100 special needs pupils from local schools have been invited and money will be raised for the Children Promise Millennium Appeal and Cherish Playschemes.

Former audience members can contact him on 01273 698363.

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