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

A seasonal celebration at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From the stage of THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to welcome families and curious newcomers to a festive chapter of our storied Lyonnais tradition with Guignol et le Noël surprise. Our house was built around the pleasure of shared storytelling, and this winter production captures that spirit with warmth, mischief, and the handcrafted magic that defines Guignol. The theatre’s intimate scale keeps every wink from our hero and every gasp from the audience within earshot, turning each performance into a friendly conversation between puppeteers and spectators. You will find the hall dressed in seasonal colors, the stage alive with painted vistas and nimble lighting, and the tempo driven by the confident rhythm of our company’s live manipulation and sound effects. We champion the values that have made Guignol a beloved figure for generations—wit, resilience, and a deep sense of community—while embracing the immediacy of the present moment. In that balance, our audience recognizes both a treasured heritage and an inventive art form that continues to evolve on our stage.

Inside Guignol et le Noël surprise

Guignol et le Noël surprise invites children and adults to follow our irrepressible hero through a winter tale where generosity, cleverness, and collective spirit save the day. Without spoiling the plot, expect a playful cascade of mishaps: a missing package, a comical misunderstanding, an unexpected ally, and the unmistakable spark of Guignol’s quick tongue. Longtime friends like Gnafron and Madelon often lend a hand, and a bustling cast of neighbors helps the story glide from cozy interiors to snowy streets. True to our house style, the script welcomes audience participation—young voices are encouraged to warn Guignol, cheer the brave, and giggle at well-earned slapstick. The puppets themselves are hand-finished in our workshops, their expressions designed to project clearly from the first row to the back, while the décor shifts fluidly to carry the narrative forward. Musical cues, gentle percussive effects, and a sprinkling of seasonal ambience accompany the action, ensuring the momentum never flags. The language remains bright and accessible for younger ears, but sly nods and local humor keep parents smiling, too. For us, the show is less a seasonal postcard and more a living conversation about kindness, resourcefulness, and the joy of giving.

As a working theatre dedicated to the living art of Guignol, our current season continues to expand the palette with which we tell stories like Guignol et le Noël surprise. Our puppeteers refine their craft daily—testing new scenographic ideas, blending traditional rod manipulation with shadow play, and fine-tuning timing so each line lands with the right sparkle. We regularly schedule family-friendly performances and school-time matinees, because we believe the first encounter with theatre should be welcoming, lively, and memorable. Educational workshops and backstage encounters introduce children to the artisanry behind the curtain: how a character takes shape in wood and fabric, how a set is painted to suggest depth and weather, how voice, rhythm, and gesture bring a figure to life. Collaborations with local makers and musicians feed our creative engine, while relaxed sessions ensure the theatre experience remains inclusive. In our rehearsal room, fresh scripts stand alongside reinvigorated classics, and we continually tune our stories to speak to contemporary concerns—friendship, fairness, and environmental care—without losing the playful boldness that defines Guignol. When the lights rise and the curtain parts in THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we invite you to lean in, laugh along, and share in a tradition that is very much alive today.