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

About Guignol et les trois dragons

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to welcome audiences to Guignol et les trois dragons, a sparkling new adventure that taps into the heart of Lyon’s beloved puppet tradition. Staged in our intimate theatre, the production invites children and grown-ups alike to gather close to the castelet, where Guignol’s quick wit meets the rumble and roar of three mischievous dragons. From the moment the curtain lifts, our puppeteers craft a lively world of color, rhythm, and laughter, guiding Guignol through a test of courage in which imagination and solidarity matter as much as bravery. Expect the classic trio—Guignol, Gnafron, and Madelon—to be as spirited as ever, bantering and rallying the audience as the plot dances between comic twists and gentle suspense. With handcrafted sets, expressive wooden figures, and playful sound design rising from just behind the stage, the show celebrates both the old-world charm and the living pulse of our city’s theatrical heritage. Families will find an experience that is interactive without being overwhelming, educational without losing its sparkle, and perfectly scaled for first-time theatre-goers as well as loyal friends of Guignol.

THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL: season highlights and artistic momentum

As the custodians of a storied Lyonnaise art form, we continue this season with a renewed focus on creation, transmission, and community. Our company of puppeteers has been refining techniques that blend traditional guignolisme with contemporary stagecraft—richer lighting palettes, precise sound cues, and scenography that remains faithful to the origins while opening doors to new stories. This season also deepens our outreach: we host school groups during weekday performances, curate family-friendly matinees on weekends, and invite young audiences to discover how a gesture, a rhythm, or a well-timed pause can transform a simple tale into living theatre. Our workshops emphasize the craft behind the magic—how the grain of wood shapes a character’s personality, how the articulation of a wrist creates expression, and how dialogue is tuned to invite children into the game of call-and-response. We remain committed to passing on this know-how to the next generation, supporting apprentices and collaborating with local artisans who share our passion for meticulous handwork. All of this energy converges on stage in Guignol et les trois dragons, where timing, teamwork, and tradition meet to deliver a shared, joyful experience.

What makes this production special from our vantage point is the way it balances gentle thrills with communal warmth. The dragons are lively, funny, and just a little fearsome—enough to spark curiosity, never to frighten—and they set up a series of challenges that let Guignol’s resourcefulness shine. Children are encouraged to lend their voices at key moments, cheering, warning, and laughing with the characters, while parents notice the finesse of the manipulation, the play of shadow and light, and the musicality of the language. We have designed the pace to be welcoming for young viewers, allowing space to breathe between bursts of action, and we keep the staging close and clear so that every seat feels connected to the story. Located in the heart of Lyon, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL is a home where heritage and playfulness meet; for those discovering Guignol for the first time, Guignol et les trois dragons is a bright doorway into a living tradition, and for returning friends, it is a fresh chapter in an ongoing conversation between audience and stage. Join us to share the laughter, the suspense, and the timeless delight of a Lyon icon taking on three dragons the only way Guignol can—cleverly, courageously, and with a wink to the crowd.