Guignol Et Le Concours De Coups De Bâton - Théâtre La Maison De Guignol, Lyon

A living tradition at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage nestled in the historic heart of Lyon, we are delighted to welcome audiences for Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton, a spirited new chapter in the city’s beloved puppet heritage. At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, our mission is to keep the strings of this tradition vibrantly alive, inviting families, schools, and curious travelers to discover why Guignol has charmed generations. In our intimate auditorium, the laughter rings close and clear, and the craftsmanship of our puppeteers—hand-carved figures, expressive textiles, and deft manipulation—invites every spectator to lean in and believe. We curate soundscapes and live effects that amplify the humor and rhythm of the action, and we shape the lighting so that each wink, tumble, and mischievous aside lands with precision. As the venue, we take pride in guiding guests from foyer to curtain call, framing the performance with warm hospitality, contextual anecdotes, and a wink to Lyon’s storied past, so that the experience feels both timeless and refreshingly present.

About Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton

Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton offers a playful premise: a topsy‑turvy “contest” that pits bluster against brain, where Guignol’s quick wit is the true winning strike. Without spoiling surprises, expect clever reversals, brisk verbal sparring, and the joyful slapstick that the title teases. The staging at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL balances classic figures—Guignol with his keen sense of justice, the loyal Gnafron, the spirited Madelon, and officious authority figures—with contemporary pacing and a dash of audience participation. Children giggle at the tip‑toe chases, the clacking batons, and the triumphant trickery; adults relish the satirical asides and the unmistakable Lyonnais flavor woven through the dialogue. Our team elevates the farce with crisp cues, musical interludes, and dynamic scene changes that keep the tempo lively while ensuring clarity for younger viewers. The result is a performance as accessible as it is deeply rooted: a shared family moment that celebrates courage, community, and the gentle art of outsmarting bullies with humor rather than brute force.

Presenting this show aligns with our broader artistic season at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, where we champion new creations alongside cherished repertory. In recent months, we have expanded family-friendly time slots, deepened school partnerships for daytime performances, and introduced behind‑the‑scenes encounters that reveal how a character’s tilt of the head or flick of the wrist can conjure an entire world. Our programming highlights the living craft: puppets sculpted by local artisans, eco‑minded set choices, and meticulous restoration of historic figures that continue to perform under today’s spotlights. We welcome audiences who know Guignol by heart as well as those discovering him for the first time, offering accessible introductions to the tradition, multilingual summaries on request, and moments of improvisation that keep every encounter fresh. With Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton, we reaffirm our belief that the stage is a meeting place: between eras, between generations, and between the art of illusion and the truth of laughter. Here, the baton is ultimately a prop for rhythm and joy, and the real “contest” is to see whose smile is widest when the curtain falls—and we, as the hosting theatre, are proud to set that stage night after night.