Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival will take place from 11am to 5.30pm at St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, on May 14 [Ned Dyke-Coomes]

PUNCH and Judy puppeteers from across the globe will come together to perform in St Paul’s Church Garden – at the same spot where Samuel Pepys recorded the first sighting of Mr Punch in 1662.

The Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival is returning next month 48 years after it was first set up by Maggie Pinhorn, founder of Alternative Arts.

Ms Pinhorn originally proposed the street theatre event to the church’s vicar’s Rev John Arrowsmith in 1975 – and then kept getting asked to put it on each year.

This year’s performers include a range of Punch and Judy “professors” from around the world who bring their puppets to be blessed at an altar in the famous church.

The shows have attracted some criticism in recent years by modern parents who think even the play-acting of violence – particularly against women – is not suitable for young children.

But Ms Pinhorn defended the shows as a “unique piece of culture” and said sometimes people just needed to let their hair down, adding: “The professors know people disapprove of them and they love that. If someone doesn’t argue with you, how can you ever grow? Having people disagree is crucial. It’s good to challenge yourself.

“Personally, there are other things that have my disapproval, like the government.

“It’s theatre of anarchy. Things will happen on stage that you will disagree with but that’s just another feeling you go to the theatre for.

“You’re not supposed to approve of Mr Punch’s actions. He’s a naughty boy and he gets told off, don’t you worry. If you don’t like it, you don’t understand it.

“It’s all about humour. It’s rude, it’s gaudy, it’s all these things people love.

“People behave nicely all the time in bourgeois culture, but sometimes you need to let your hair down. Of course, there are lots of people who disapprove of that, but if you don’t like it, you can walk away.”

The free event boasts folk music, maypole-dancing, clowns, food, and stalls provided by local community groups and charities.

There will also be a special service at 12pm before the performances start, in which the Punch “professors”, as they are known, sit with their puppets in the church before the preacher blesses them on the altar steps.

On Mr Punch’s 361st birthday, Ms Pinhorn said she will be “thinking of Mr Punch as the king of puppets”.

She added: “When we started there were always street entertainers in Europe, but there was no place for it in London. The event is based on the history of the area so it’s unique, that’s why it works.”

Puppeteering has noticeably diversified since 1975 with more women and people from different cultures getting involved.

This year’s show features professors from France, Australia, and Finland. Professor Patel mixes Punch and Judy with Bollywood to create “Punjeet and Judygee”.

Thousands of people of all ages have enjoyed the fayre and puppet show since its inception, and Alternative Arts says it is proud to unite a community every year.