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

On our stage at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL in the heart of Lyon, we are delighted to welcome families, first‑time visitors, and faithful aficionados for Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton. From our vantage point as the home of Lyon’s most beloved puppet, we see how this new production captures everything audiences cherish about Guignol: the quick wit, the cheeky sense of justice, and the irresistible rhythm of the famous bâton. Our intimate room allows you to feel the breath of the characters, to catch every conspiratorial glance, and to share the collective laughter that has echoed here for generations. In this lively staging, the troupe leans into the festive energy of a competition that gets gloriously out of hand, amplifying physical comedy with agile manipulation, crisp musical cues, and playful misdirection. We’ve honed the pacing so that children burst with anticipation while adults delight in sly asides and bright references to life in Lyon. As always, our team welcomes you with the care of a neighborhood theater that treats each performance as a shared celebration.

A living tradition, renewed this season

Hosting Guignol is never a routine; each season at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL is an artistic conversation between tradition and renewal. The company’s current work underscores that philosophy: fresh scripts sit alongside cherished episodes, with new scenic textures, handcrafted props, and a sound design that highlights the percussive heartbeat of the bâton without ever overpowering the puppeteers’ delicate gestures. We’ve been curating programs that invite audiences to rediscover the humanity behind the wooden faces—intelligent staging that balances laughter, emotion, and the lightly subversive spirit that defines Guignol. School matinees emphasize clarity of storytelling and visual humor, while weekend performances embrace spontaneous moments of audience interaction. Behind the scenes, our artisans refine puppets, costumes, and mechanisms to ensure fluid movement and vivid expression under the lights. This living heritage thrives because it adapts: the troupe introduces modern tempo and crisp dramaturgy while keeping Guignol, Gnafron, and Madelon exactly as audiences love them—frank, funny, and forever ready to upend a pompous order with a well‑timed quip and a deft flourish of the bâton.

Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton, as it appears on our stage, is a masterclass in timing and togetherness. The premise—an ever‑escalating “contest” of bravado and bluster—unfolds through a ballet of reveals, reversals, and running gags that encourage even the shyest spectator to join the fun. Our direction keeps the language accessible for young ears, while the physical comedy and clear character silhouettes make the story instantly legible to visitors from abroad. Expect spirited call‑and‑response, nimble live percussion that punctuates pranks and pratfalls, and lovingly painted sets that give Guignol’s world its warm Lyonnais glow. The manipulator’s art is center stage: you will notice how a tiny tilt of a head can convey doubt, how a swift flick can turn mischief into triumph, and how the musicality of movement sustains the show’s buoyant pulse. We’ve shaped this production to be both a festive introduction and a rewarding return visit—rich in detail for longtime fans, welcoming for newcomers, and perfectly at home in the convivial atmosphere of THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, where Guignol’s laughter carries from stage to street.