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

An invitation from THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to open our doors to audiences for Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton, a spirited new chapter in Lyon’s beloved tradition of glove puppetry. Hosting this production in our intimate Vieux Lyon setting allows us to celebrate the quick wit, nimble rhythms, and mischievous sense of justice that have defined Guignol since his origins in our city. From the moment the curtain rises, visitors can expect brisk repartee, acrobatic “coup de bâton” choreography, and a cast of familiar figures whose antics bring both laughter and a sharp eye on everyday life. Our stagecraft embraces tactile materials, finely carved puppets, and precise live manipulation that keeps every exchange crisp and readable for all ages. As the venue, we take pride in curating an atmosphere where the humor lands, the details shine, and the communal joy of the audience becomes part of the show’s music. Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton is designed to be playful and inclusive, a shared experience for families, first‑time visitors, and longtime devotees of Guignol alike.

Artistic news and a living craft

This season, our resident team continues to invest in the craft that sustains Guignol on stage: refreshed scenography, a renewed palette of hand-painted backdrops, and rhythmic sound cues that punctuate each baton flourish. The production of Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton highlights that momentum with sharpened comic timing and crisp, athletic puppetry that keeps the action buoyant without losing the warmth of tradition. As part of our artistic life at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we’re expanding family-friendly schedules and school‑time performances, strengthening the bridge between heritage and discovery. Workshops led by our puppeteers focus on voice, gesture, and the subtle engineering behind glove puppets, encouraging young spectators to step behind the scenes and understand how character emerges from cloth, wood, and hand. Throughout the year, our troupe presents seasonal revivals and fresh creations that keep Guignol’s social bite intact while tailoring stories to contemporary audiences. That same living spirit animates this production: the jokes are lively, the rhythms precise, and the moral clarity—playfully tested by a well‑aimed baton—remains unmistakably Guignol.

Guignol et le concours de coups de bâton invites spectators into a friendly “contest” where bravura, bluff, and good humor collide. Expect Guignol to meet his rivals with bravado and lightning reflexes, while allies and foils—who may include familiar Lyonnais archetypes—stir the pot with plots, counterplots, and spirited commentary. In our staging, the baton becomes more than a prop: it is a conductor’s baton for tempo, a moral compass with a comic edge, and, in deft hands, a tool for surprise. Lighting shifts underline changes of strategy, while percussive sound punctuates each feint and flourish, drawing laughter that rolls from the first row to the balcony. Because our theatre is built for close contact with the art form, you’ll catch the flick of a wrist, the tilt of a head, and the tiny pauses that give the jokes their snap. We’ve tuned the space for clarity—just enough resonance for voices, just enough proximity for detail—so that families, school groups, and curious travelers can enjoy the same crisp experience. As hosts, we encourage audiences to arrive a little early, settle in, and let the pulse of the neighbourhood guide you to our door; once inside, you’ll find a welcoming team, a stage steeped in Lyonnaise heritage, and a performance that shows why Guignol’s courage and humor continue to feel fresh. Here, the “concours” is a celebration of timing, teamwork, and tradition, carried by artists who believe that a good laugh and a pointed truth can comfortably share the same stage.