Tributes to Punch and Judy man, magician and comedian who has died aged 87 |
Mike Wallis was best known for staging uproarious Punch and Judy shows and magic performances.
He was a familiar face at Pleasurewood Hills during the 1990s and at his magic shop, Wallis’ Wonders, in the Victoria Arcade in Great Yarmouth.
Born in Lancashire and brought up in Slough, Mr Wallis told this newspaper in 2021 that he “grew up in greasepaint”.
Mike Wallis was well-known across Norfolk, and the rest of the UK, for his Punch and Judy shows. (Image: Courtesy of Daniel Hanton)
“My grandfather started me on magic tricks, and I loved them,” he said.
“We used to go to music halls. I loved the magicians and jugglers and I wanted to be a conjurer. That’s where it began.”
A career on the stage beckoned and he took any offers he could get - playing the pantomime villain, acting in farces, producing variety shows, touring an illusion act and performing Punch and Judy.
But one night, before a show and just a week after the death of his father, Mr Wallis was struck by stage fright and fled the venue.
“My father had always wanted to retire to Wales so I said........