Will Punch and Judy shows require a licence?
The Licensing Act has not significantly changed the definition of “play” used in the Theatres Act 1968. Punch and Judy shows are currently licensable under the 1968 Act and will therefore continue to be licensable under the Licensing Act when performed publicly, for members and their guests of a qualifying club in relation to the provision of regulated entertainment or to a private audience for consideration and with a view to profit by the organiser. However, if a children’s party was staged for friends and the Punch and Judy entertainment was provided by the host (the child’s parents) for their guests for free (as it would be normally at a party), then no licence would be required. Anyone wishing to stage a Punch and Judy show for the general public must ensure that the site is covered by a premises licence or temporary event notice. We will be encouraging local authorities to consider seeking premises licences from their licensing authority for public spaces within the community in
