The last remaining Punch and Judy shows could be lost due to shocking abuse being hurled at performers from parents.
Two of the only three performers left say they are sick of being subjected to tirades from people when they are asked to pay a £2 fee.
Some people wrongly assume because the shows are on public beaches they are funded by the local council.
The cash given is essential for the survival of the shows, whose performers rely on them to pay their assistants and make a living.
But the performers have been shocked by the “effing and blinding” shouted out in front of youngsters.
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The shows in the seaside towns of Weymouth and Swanage, Dorset, have entertained beachgoers for generations since they were set up in 1880 and 1904 respectively.
This summer has been the worst for behaviour that Punch and Judy “professors” Joe Burns and Mark Poulton have experienced.
Joe, 29, said: “There’s a lot of effing and blinding, it’s not OK swearing near kids. This year’s more pronounced, people are getting more angry.
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“Each day you wake up not knowing what’s going to happen and how people are going to react.
"If we have to worry each year about the level of abuse, you start to think, what’s the point in carrying on?
“A family of eight set up camp in front of our show and refused to pay.
"It has got violent. I was squared up to, and another one walked after me and my collector screaming.
“We pay to set up the show, for the licence and to rent the area of the beach. What we are doing is so important heritage wise.”
The oldest Punch and Judy beach show operating full time is run by Jason Codman, 53, in Llandudno, North Wales, which has been in his family for more than 150 years.
He said: “We rely on voluntary donations so don’t get abuse. If I was relying on this to make a full-time living it would be very difficult.”
