Punch's wife was originally called Joan. In the British Punch and Judy show, Punch speaks in a distinctive squawking voice, produced by a contrivance known as a swazzle or swatchel which the professor holds in his mouth, transmitting his gleeful cackle. This gives Punch a vocal quality as though he were speaking through a kazoo. Joan's name was changed to Judy because Judy was easier to enunciate with the swazzle than Joan.
The plot re imagines the classic puppet show as a revenge tale, in which Judy and Punch are married puppeteers in the fictional town of Seaside, with a popular show about themselves. Following the traditional element of the show, Punch's carelessness leads to the death of their baby, prompting a fight between him and Judy. However, having been thought dead after Punch's beating, Judy survives with the help of village outcasts and decides to enact her revenge on her husband, who has scapegoated their servants.
The town of Seaside, though nowhere near the sea, is so named in reference to the traditional Punch & Judy puppet shows that would often take place on beaches.
Filmed entirely in Australia.
Based on the traditional British puppet show, Punch & Judy.