Richard Codman - commonly known as 'Prof.' Codman son of Richard George Codman of Norfolk, woodcarver Puppet showman and musician, after learning the skills from his father, travelled westwards in a horse-drawn caravan taking with him the original puppets, theatre etc.

It was the custom in the early days to find traditional puppet shows in, or near a market place and, on Richard Codman's arrival in Liverpool, after approaching the then City Council was granted a prime site in 1860 - an open cobbled square known as 'The Quadrant' situated between  the market and the main railway station (now known as Lime Street) a site which was described as the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom.
Richard Codman had three sons, two of whom carried on the tradition; Richard (junior) the elder son took over the Lime Street pitch whilst Herbert, the younger, carried on a show which was established by Richard in Llandudno when seaside began to develop; he stayed there until his death in 1909 aged 78.
Richard (the 3rd) was as equally successful as his famous father; in fact in 1922 the Sandon Studios Society, an artistic body in Liverpool, arranged for a subscription committee headed by Mr A Parry, the then Chief Librarian, to commission the famous Liverpool sculptor H Tyson-Smith to wood-carve a beautiful Punch And Judy booth with figures taken from 'Punch' magazine as a gesture of appreciation.

After Richard Codman's death in 1951, the Liverpool Show was continued by Richard (the fourth) and, on his death in 1985, was continued by his son Ronald Richard. Ronald's son Robert, will succeed his father and be the sixth generation of the Codman dynasty.

Unfortunately, the famous Lime Street site no longer exists due to re-development. However, through public demand, the show was temporarily housed in St. George's Hall and occasionally appeared in Williamson Square (near The Playhouse Theatre).

The Show is now based at the Museum of Liverpool Life at the Albert Dock, along with one of Richard Codman's 19th Century puppet booths; also exhibited are some of the original characters. Talks and performances are given from time to time.

The Codman Punch and Judy Theatre has travelled extensively appearing at Music Halls, Theatres, Festivals (International Festivals) around the world for T.V. and radio; Galas and exhibitions of all sorts including school visits where the history is given in addition to the show.

Education

Puppetry has been used for educational aims for many years. The family's contribution towards education as well as entertaining includes:-

Victorians:- Numerous Performances have been given for juniors over the years, the show includes - Original slides, Victorian Artefacts, world puppets, Victorian puppets, live piano accompaniment and pan pipe music.

Infants:- Victorian artefacts, manipulation of string / hand and rod puppets, short talk on the history of Punchinello in Italy and English version of the show, through fairground (1700's), street theatre (1800's), seasides (1800/1900's), followed by a performance with live piano music.

The Original Codman's Victorian Punch and Judy

The Quadrant, No. 1 Lime Street, Liverpool c.1860

The Founder of Liverpool's

Punch and Judy Puppet Theatre

Richard Codman in 1865

Performances in Schools

Junior Children

Firstly a preamble of about 20 minutes with items of interest together with slides (if blackout can be arranged) of the evolution, followed by the actual performance - the whole lasting approximately 50 minutes.

Infant Children

A short introductory talk with artefacts and a puppet demonstration followed by the performance; duration about 35/40 minutes.

THERE IS A MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT WITH BOTH SHOWS