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

Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to welcome audiences for Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton, a joyous celebration of Lyon’s most beloved figure and the spirited artistry that keeps him vibrantly alive on our stage. From the very first clack of wood, the baton becomes both instrument and emblem, punctuating the action with irresistible rhythm as Guignol navigates a playful “contest” that naturally tips into comic mayhem. Our house favors proximity: the puppets are carved and costumed to glow under warm light, the textures of painted scenery evoke our city’s traboules and the Croix-Rousse’s industrious memory, and every quip and aside can be savored from any seat. Children revel in the whirlwind of physical humor; adults relish the sly social wink that has always been part of Guignol’s conscience. The manipulation is crisp and musical, with quick changes of voice and tempo, call-and-response refrains that the audience can pick up instantly, and an improvisational sparkle that adapts to the energy of the room. In this outing, the famed coups de bâton are not mere wallops; they are choreography, percussion, and comic punctuation rolled into one—crafted to be lively, never harsh, and always generous in spirit. We stage it with our characteristic care for acoustics, rhythm, and clear sightlines so even the youngest spectators catch every glance, pratfall, and mischievous grin that shimmers through the guignoliste’s hands.

The living pulse of our repertoire and today’s creative momentum

Presenting Guignol is, for us, an act of living heritage and contemporary theater in the same breath. At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we nurture a repertoire that honors tradition while embracing the freshness of the present, and Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton sits at the heart of that mission. The dramaturgy leans into the classic triangle of Guignol, his friends, and the petty powers they gleefully upend, but our staging relishes playful topical nods, a nimble musical environment, and the clarity of storytelling that speaks to today’s families. We keep the language bright and accessible, seasoning it with the Lyonnais flavor that gives Guignol his unmistakable voice without losing the clarity children need to follow the fun. The artistry you see—precise timing of the stick’s accents, a choreography of entrances and exits, color-rich décor, and vivacious vocal work—reflects the ongoing studio practice of our team: careful rehearsal, continual refinement of puppet gesture, fresh painting in the workshop, and a love of rhythmic laughter that binds generations together. We welcome school groups, lifelong fans, and first-time visitors to encounter a performance style in which audience energy truly matters; our artists listen and respond, shaping beats and silences to the room’s breath so that each performance becomes unique. As a venue, we remain committed to curation that lets Guignol’s social wit and fearless kindness shine: programs designed for families, encounters that favor curiosity and dialogue, and a house atmosphere where discovery feels at once festive and intimate. In this season’s constellation of titles, Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton stands out as a joyous reminder that dexterity, language, and a well-timed baton can still tell the most human of stories—bold, generous, and unmistakably Lyonnais—right here on our stage at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL.