I'm thinking about building a stage and some puppets to do a sort of Punch and Judy "lite". My question, before I even begin any of this, is has anyone got any experience with the swazzle? Mainly how dangerous is this thing? I'd hate to go to all the trouble of softening up a Punch and Judy show, only to choke to death in front of children. I think I'm going to try to make one and try it out, but wanted to ask if anyone had any cautionary tales from personal experience.

Secondly, I have mastered a pretty dead on "Stitch" voice (from Lilo and Stitch fame). That I would probablly use as Mr. Punch's voice for younger audiences. Does anyone think that may work? I can hit Stitch's higher pitches and maniacal laughter pretty well, but I'm not sure if I can do it loud enough to project it out of the stage with other dialouge.

Use a wireless mic. There are some for around $150 that strap around your waist and weigh a pound or so. Easy to operate and good on batteries. That would take the strain off your voice. Here is a link: Portable P.A. System - Clownstuff (http://www.clownstuff.com/cspa.htm)

The swazzle takes a few weeks practise to get right. I make and use them myself but I also use my own voice. As long as you get Punch's personality right, using your own voice can work quite well. But if you can master the Swazzle its a great skill to have and can even be used in clowning for some funny voices. If making your own it is best to use silver as this is better for sound and quality. I have produced a booklet on the use of the swazzle that is free with one of my swazzles.

Thanks a bunch, maybe I will have to consider buying a swazzle from you. All the required practice with whatever I could make myself could be a glorious waste of time, until I get the hang of it. Perhaps a "starter swazzle" is exactly what I need, but I'm having a hard enough time finding people here in the states that even know what I am talking about. I had heard that silver was an ideal material somewhere else but that tin was ok.

I'm familiar with Punch and Judy but I have no idea what a "Swazzle" is ... Could you share pictures and links with us? I'd like to know more.

I have enclosed and extract from the booklet I send with the swazzle (sorry to big to add as file) and a picture. I hope this gives a little insight to the swazzle and its history. If you wish to buy one they are only £9.99 plus p&p just click on the shop4props link below and enter the giggle factory.

Secret of the Swazzle:-

This instrument is centuries old and is a well-guarded secret, so keep it to yourself! The Swazzle or Swatchel as it is sometimes known is used to make the characteristic voice of Mr Punch.
The secret of the Swazzle has long been out although, even today, some Punch performers still like to surround the instrument with an aura of mystery, and hint at secret methods of construction. Certainly, some books on Punch and Judy have given instructions for making a Swazzle which in practice, would be impossible to use and one feels the author must have been deceived by the Showman who was induced by soft words and hard cash to "reveal" his secret.

History:-

The old showmen were at great pains to conceal the secrets of their art. The old marionette players of the variety stage made sure all the puppets were hidden by canvas screens before and after every performance lest some visitor backstage should see they were only worked by two sticks; the Punch performer’s guarded the secret of Mr. Punch's squeaky voice lest anyone should see how simple was the instrument employed. Knowing the methods employed, however, its a very different kettle of fish to knowing how to employ the methods skilfully as any aspirant to Punch showmanship will quickly discover.

Perfectly clear enunciation of dialogue in Punch's voice through the use of a Punch call, known by various names but usually as the Swazzle or Swatchel, is virtually impossible, hence the employment of an interpreter out front as happened in the old days Tolerably good enunciation of most of Punch's limited dialogue is a feat of practice and skill; poor enunciation is common even among professional Punch Professor’s. Some people can produce an excellent and clear voice for Punch without the use of a Swazzle, an obvious advantage as far as clarity is concerned, but this voice lacks the hard rasp of a Swazzle-produced voice and also the ear-splitting trumpet-like quality of the noises that an exultant or incensed Punch emits.

Welcome to the Forum Karlos. We hope you stick around and participate throughout the Forum.