Guignol Et Les Trois Dragons - Théâtre La Maison De Guignol, Lyon

A living tradition at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to welcome audiences of all ages to experience the latest adventure of Lyon’s most beloved puppet hero: Guignol et les trois dragons. Our historic stage, tucked into the heart of the city’s old quarter, has long been a home for spirited storytelling, quick-witted humor, and the craftsmanship of glove puppetry. Hosting this new chapter, we celebrate a tradition that began in Lyon more than two centuries ago and continues to inspire families, schools, and curious visitors today. From our vantage point backstage, we see the care with which the puppeteers tune every voice, the precision of each gesture, and the orchestration of cues that make Guignol’s world burst into life. Laughter and gasps ripple through the theater as the curtain rises, a reminder that the bond between performer and audience—so central to Guignol—thrives in an intimate venue like ours, where the smallest detail, a wink or a whisper, can become a moment of shared delight.

Guignol et les trois dragons on our stage

Guignol et les trois dragons invites children and adults into a playful battle of wits, where courage and cunning face off against larger-than-life challenges. On our stage, the performers lean into the energy of a live audience: the tempo quickens when the room leans forward, and the humor grows bolder when the children join in with their spontaneous advice. Expect a lively blend of antics, rhythm, and gentle suspense as Guignol, often joined by his loyal friends, navigates scrapes and schemes that balance mischief with moral insight. We cherish how the production speaks multiple languages at once—verbal repartee, physical comedy, musical punctuation—so even first-time visitors can follow the story with ease. The scenographic choices emphasize clarity and color without overwhelming the intimacy of the room, allowing the expressive faces and deft hands of the puppeteers to take center stage. For us as a venue, this is the essence of Guignol: theater that breathes with its audience, encouraging participation while honoring the artisanal art behind the screen.

Beyond this performance, the artistic team behind our Guignol programming continues to advance a living repertoire, developing new adventures, refreshing classics, and engaging young spectators through workshops and encounters that demystify puppetry. Season after season, the troupe refines timing, voice work, and musical textures to keep the style fresh while remaining faithful to the character’s Lyonnais spirit. We are proud to support this momentum by providing a stage tailored to the genre—close sightlines, agile technical support, and a calendar that welcomes families throughout the year. Educational partners often join us for special matinees, where the creative process is unpacked: how a character’s walk conveys personality, how a shift in lighting shapes suspense, how improvisation bridges the distance between stage and seats. As a venue, we see how these artistic choices ripple into the community, inspiring children to draw, build, and even try a puppet voice of their own after the show. Guignol et les trois dragons is part of that ongoing conversation between tradition and innovation that makes THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL a home for imaginative storytelling, today and tomorrow.