For over 350 years, different Punch and Judy shows
have performed puppet anarchy, in front of delightfully
 squealing children whose parents laugh in shock at antics
 involving losing children, mocking authority and lying to
 each other.  Audience participation is a part of the show.
 Here Judy is asking the audience, “Has Mr. Punch been
 naughty?”  Since he fell asleep while he was supposed to
 be watching the baby,  the audience yelled,
 “Yes, very naughty!”
Mr. Punch is outrageously politically
incorrect.  He speaks with a squeaky
voice, like talking through a kazoo.
 His classic line is, “That’s the way to
 do it!” (referring to something about
to go horribly wrong) to which the
 audience responds, “No it isn’t!” 

What do politicians do best?  Attack each other!
So much more straightforward than TV ads.

We tucked into the venerated Ivy
restaurant for a special birthday
lunch.  Although we didn’t spot
Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Radcliffe
or Sir Elton John, they’ve all been
there.  So we were the celebrities!
Pajama Game had a great dance scene at the factory where
 the workers were protesting the lack of a pay increase.
Timely revival given the recent attention on minimum wage.

The Pajama Game is a fun 1950’s plug
and play musical – boy and girl hate each
 other only to realize they’re in love.
Great songs including “Hey There”,
“Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway”.

Matilda’s nemesis, the ghastly headmistress, Mrs. Trunchbull.
Hammer throwing, swinging a student around by her
pigtails, locking up children in a cage?  Roald Dahl’s
humor is dark, but Mrs. Trunchbull gets her comeuppance
by the finale.
Matilda the musical was quite the theatrical staging,
with Scrabble letters used to create message throughout
the show, as well as some very energetic young students
at Matilda’s school.  No memorable tunes, but enough
plot twists to keep you on your toes.