Guignol Et Le Noël Surprise - Théâtre La Maison De Guignol, Lyon

A holiday rendezvous at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage to your family celebrations, we are delighted to welcome audiences back to THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL for Guignol et le Noël Surprise, a sparkling seasonal adventure steeped in Lyon’s beloved puppetry tradition. In our intimate house, the proximity between performers and public turns every moment into a shared secret: the rustle of the curtain, the first burst of laughter, the unmistakable voices of Guignol, Gnafron, and Madelon. We curate experiences that honor the original spirit of the character created in Lyon more than two centuries ago while inviting today’s children—and the grown‑ups who once sat where they sit now—to take part with shouts, riddles, and mischievous asides. Guignol et le Noël Surprise celebrates the generosity, friendship, and resourcefulness that make the end‑of‑year period so magical, with a tempo and humor that keep little ones engaged without ever losing the winking complicity that adults adore.

As a venue dedicated to living heritage, we shape each season with care, and this year our resident puppeteers have renewed the repertoire with fresh staging, lively musical cues, and finely crafted scenic details. The tactile poetry of wood, paint, and fabric invites the eye to wander: hand‑carved profiles catch the light, miniature doors creak on cue, and every accessory seems ready to spring into action. Our artists balance fidelity to the classic Lyonnais spirit with contemporary rhythms and playful references that make the show instantly accessible to first‑time visitors. We have designed Guignol et le Noël Surprise to be welcoming for a broad age range, with clear storytelling, physical comedy, and opportunities for audience participation that never overwhelm the shyest spectators. Throughout the year at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we have continued to host family matinées, school outings, and weekend gatherings where the dialogue between generations unfolds naturally; this holiday run extends that conversation with a story that invites cheering for the clever, listening for clues, and discovering how even small acts of kindness can tip the plot toward a happy twist.

What to expect on stage and in the room

Expect a crisp, colorful scenography that evokes Lyon’s streets and workshops, the glow of winter markets, and the hush before a surprise is revealed. Our puppeteers lend each character a distinct gait and timbre—Guignol’s quicksilver energy, Gnafron’s endearing bravado, Madelon’s warm pragmatism—so that children can follow the action at a glance while adults relish the nuance. In the pit and wings, discreet sound effects and live cues create a festival soundscape: sleigh chimes, bustling footsteps, and the comic thud of an ill‑timed entrance. We take pleasure in the craft that remains invisible when it’s working at its best—the precise thread of timing between a question hurled from the booth and the roar of an answer from the house, the collective breath before a reveal, the gentle return to calm as the curtain falls. As always at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, our team is on hand from the moment you arrive to guide families to their seats, accommodate strollers, and make sure first‑time visitors feel at home. Whether you come with grandparents who remember their own first Guignol or with children meeting the hero for the very first time, Guignol et le Noël Surprise offers a joyful, intergenerational encounter with a living art form that belongs to Lyon—and, for the duration of the performance, to everyone in the room.