<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Punch and Judy show has roots in the 16th - century Italian commedia dell'arte . The figure of Punch is derived from the Neapolitan stock character of Pulcinella, which was anglicized to Punchinello . He is a manifestation of the Lord of Misrule and Trickster figures of deep - rooted mythologies . Punch's wife was originally called "Joan ." </P> <P> The figure who later became Mr. Punch made his first recorded appearance in England on 9 May 1662, which is traditionally reckoned as Punch's UK birthday . The diarist Samuel Pepys observed a marionette show featuring an early version of the Punch character in Covent Garden in London . It was performed by Italian puppet showman Pietro Gimonde, a.k.a. "Signor Bologna ." Pepys described the event in his diary as "an Italian puppet play, that is within the rails there, which is very pretty ." </P>

What is the origin of punch and judy
find me the text answering this question