EZCNN 易英网

A Puppet Show That Packs a Punch 潘趣先生：触「击」你的发笑神经

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

One day, while strolling through the park, you come across a lively puppet show. The star of the performance is a hunchbacked puppet with a large nose. He’s dressed in a jester’s outfit and an oversized sugarloaf hat. In his hands, he carries a large stick that’s bigger than he is – and he’s not afraid to use it. Scene after scene, you roll with laughter as he playfully hits every character he encounters and cackles in his high-pitched voice. You’re watching a performance of the historic Punch and Judy show.

某一天，当你漫步穿越公园时，偶然看到一出生动有趣的木偶秀，表演的明星是个有着驼背大鼻子的木偶，身穿弄臣的服装，头戴一顶过大的圆锥帽，手里拿着一根比自己还要高大的拐杖，而且他并不怕使用那根拐杖。一幕接着一幕，这个明星戏谑地敲打剧中所遇到的每个角色，还发出咯咯的尖锐嗓音，让你笑到在地上打滚。你正在欣赏的表演就是历史上著名的「潘趣与茱迪秀」。

The Punch and Judy show has entertained audiences around the globe for hundreds of years. Although it’s often seen as a British invention, the show actually has its roots in the 16th century Italian comedy art. The lead character, Mr. Punch, is derived from “Punchinello,” an old Neapolitan character. However, the first recorded performance of the show took place in 1662 in London. It was performed by an Italian puppeteer named Pietro Gimonde. At that time, it was a marionette show and the puppets amused audiences by dancing around the stage.

潘趣与茱迪秀已经娱乐全球的观众长达数百年。虽然常常被误以为是英国原创，但其实这种表演源自于16世纪意大利的喜剧艺术。主角潘趣先生是来自古那不勒斯的「矮胖丑角」，而其首次被记载的表演出现于1662年的伦敦，由一位名叫皮耶妥．吉蒙帝的意大利木偶操纵师所演出，当时是属于一种牵线木偶戏，木偶在台上跳舞逗观众开心。

One of the keys to the show’s longevity was its ability to change with the times. When glove-puppet shows became all the rage in the 18th century, puppeteers made Mr. Punch more aggressive, and incorporated more physical comedy. In modern times, many puppet masters are toning down their acts after concerned parents have complained that the show can be too violent for children at times.

潘趣与茱迪秀能如此长寿的其中一个关键在于它能与时俱进，18世纪时，手偶风行一时，木偶操纵师便让潘趣先生变得更好斗，且并入更多肢体形式的喜剧。而在现代，家长抱怨这种表演有时对儿童而言太过暴力，很多木偶操纵大师考虑到这点之后，便柔和了他们的动作。

Vocabulary

单词发音

stroll [strol] v. 散步，溜达

come across 偶然碰见 to meet or find by chance

lively [ˋlaɪvlɪ] adj. 生动的，栩栩如生的

outfit [ˋaʊt͵fɪt] n.（尤指在特殊场合穿的）全套服装

historic [hɪsˋtɔrɪk] adj. 历史上著名的

audience [ˋɔdɪəns] n. 听众，观众

invention [ɪnˋvɛnʃən] n. 发明

be derived from 源自..., 出自...

derive [dɪˋraɪv] v. 衍生，導出[（+from）]

amuse [əˋmjuz] v. 逗……高兴

all the rage 风行一时 very fashionable or stylish

aggressive [əˋgrɛsɪv] adj. 好斗的，挑衅的

More Information

单词发音

hunchbacked [ˋhʌntʃ͵bækt] adj. 驼背的

jester [ˋdʒɛstɚ] n.（中世纪宫廷或贵族家中的）逗乐小丑，弄臣

sugarloaf [ˋʃʊgɚlof] hat 圆锥形的帽子

roll with laughter 笑不可遏 roll(ing) on the floor laughing

playfully [ˋplefəlɪ] adv. 开玩笑地

cackle [ˋkæk!] v. 咯咯叫

high-pitched [ˋhaɪˋpɪtʃt] adj. 声调高的；尖声的 high in pitch, as a voice or musical tone

lead character 主角

Punchinello [͵pʌntʃəˋnɛlo] n. 矮胖丑角；滑稽可笑的矮胖子

Neapolitan [͵niəˋpɑlətn] adj.（意大利）那不勒斯的

puppeteer [͵pʌpɪˋtɪr] n. 操纵木偶的人

marionette [͵mærɪəˋnɛt] n. 牵线木偶

longevity [lɑnˋdʒɛvətɪ] n. 长寿

glove-puppet（套在手上用手指操纵的）手套式木偶

tone down 使柔和 to make something less forceful or offensive

concerned [kənˋsɝnd] adj. 挂虑的，担心的，不安的

at times 有时, 偶尔sometimes; occasionally

课文朗读

课文讲解

Perhaps the best thing about a Punch and Judy show is that aside from the two mainstays, Punch and his wife Judy, you never know which puppets will be featured in the performance. Colorful characters including a baby, a police officer, a clown, a crocodile, a ghost and several others, may also make an appearance.

或许这项表演最棒的地方在于，除了潘趣先生与他的妻子茱迪两大台柱外，你绝对想不到还有哪一个木偶将在剧中成为要角。丰富有趣的角色包括婴儿、警察、小丑、鳄鱼、鬼魂，还有其他几个角色也都有可能登场。

Unbeknownst to many, the entire show is usually performed by a single puppeteer who controls all the actions. But in some instances, the puppet master may receive some assistance from an assistant, called a “bottler.” The bottler may help by introducing the act, collecting donations, or even playing some background music. Traditionally, the show is improvisatory and doesn’t follow a script. Yet the plot usually involves Mr. Punch acting outrageously and arguing with his wife and others. However, by the end, Mr. Punch usually finds a way to triumph.

很多人可能不知道，整场表演通常是由一位木偶操纵师单独操控所有动作。但在某些情况下，操纵大师会有一名助手提供一些协助，这些助手称为「bottler」。他们帮忙介绍表演、收取捐献，甚至演奏一些背景音乐。传统上，潘趣与茱迪秀是即兴演出，并不按照脚本进行，然而，表演情节通常是涉及潘趣先生表现得蛮横无理，与他的妻子和其他角色争吵，但通常到最后，潘趣先生总能想办法获胜。

Over the years, the show has won the hearts of millions of fans across several generations and continents. Even George Washington, the first U.S. president, took time out of his busy schedule to see a performance. Along with Stonehenge and Afternoon tea, the Punch and Judy show was selected as one of the twelve icons of England. The Punch and Judy show has made its way into the English language. The expression “pleased as Punch” means that a person is cheerful – just like Mr. Punch when he is playfully brawling with other puppets.

多年来，穿越好几个世代和各大洲，潘趣与茱迪秀掳获了数百万粉丝的心，甚至美国第一任总统乔治．华盛顿也都从他繁忙的行程中抽空去看一场表演。潘趣与茱迪秀和「史前巨石柱群」、「下午茶」等一同获选英格兰的十二象征之列。潘趣与茱迪秀也成为英语的一则成语，「pleased as punch」表达一个人非常高兴，就像潘趣先生戏谑地与其他角色争吵一般。

So, if you have the chance to catch a Punch and Judy show, don’t miss out on the chance to let these pugnacious puppets tickle your funny bone.

所以，如果你逮到观赏潘趣与茱迪秀的机会，千万别错过，就让这些好斗的木偶「惹」你开怀大笑。

－by Jamie Blacker

Vocabulary

单词发音

make an appearance 露面, 出席, 演出

assistance [əˋsɪstəns] n. 援助，帮助

donation [doˋneʃən] n. 捐献，捐赠

script [skrɪpt] n.（戏剧，广播等的）脚本，底稿

plot [plɑt] n.（小说，戏剧等的）情节

involve [ɪnˋvɑlv] v. 牵涉

win the heart 赢得好感 to gain the affection of someone; to win the love of someone exclusively

generation [͵dʒɛnəˋreʃən] n. 世代

continent [ˋkɑntənənt] n. 洲; 大洲; 大陆

miss out (on something) 错过; 遗漏, 省略 to fail to use or enjoy an opportunity

More Information

单词发音

aside from 除此之外 except for something

mainstay [ˋmen͵ste] n. 挑大梁的人物 [台柱子﹐骨干] a person or thing that acts as a chief support or part

clown [klaʊn] n. 小丑，丑角

unbeknownst [ˋʌnbɪˋnonst] adv. 不知地

improvisatory [͵ɪmprəˋvaɪzə͵torɪ] adj. 即兴的; 即席的

outrageously [aʊtˋredʒəslɪ] adv. 蛮横地; 残暴地

make one’s way 向前走; 取得成功 to reach a place or condition

pleased as Punch 非常高兴 delighted; very pleased

brawl [brɔl] v.（闹哄哄的）争吵，打架

pugnacious [pʌgˋneʃəs] adj. 爱争吵的﹐ 爱争斗的

tickle someone's funny bone 使人开心  to amuse; to strike somebody as funny

funny bone 幽默感

Reading Questions

1.  According to the passage, why was the Punch and Judy show able to stay popular for such a long time?

(A)  The star characters changed several times over the generations.

(B)  Puppet masters became more skilled as time went on.

(C)  The shows became increasingly complex in the modern era.

(D)  The style of the performances changed over the years.

2.  Which of the following statements about Punch and Judy is NOT true?

(A)  The first known performance of the show actually took place in Italy.

(B)  It was a marionette show before it became a glove puppet show.

(C)  The show is a comedy.

(D)  The main character of the show was inspired by Italian puppet.

3.  According to the passage, what is a “bottler” responsible for?

(A)  He gets refreshments for members of the cast.

(B)  He plays a concert after the Punch and Judy show ends.

(C)  He gathers money from members of the audience.

(D)  He helps the performers memorize the script.

4.  Which is the main focus of this passage?

(A)  It offers a brief history of how Punch and Judy developed over time.

(B)  It provides tips on how to put on a good Punch and Judy show.

(C)  It describes in great detail puppets that influenced Punch and Judy.

(D)  It gives some hints as to what the future of Punch and Judy may be.

Punch & Judy 2013

Answer