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

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL: A living heritage takes flight

From the heart of Lyon’s puppet tradition, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL is delighted to welcome families, first-time visitors, and devoted regulars for Guignol et les Trois Dragons. On our intimate stage, where the legacy of Laurent Mourguet breathes through wood, fabric, and laughter, the latest adventure of the most famous silk-worker’s friend unfolds with vibrant theatricality. This new story invites Guignol—joined by familiar companions like Madelon and, when mischief calls, Gnafron—into a world where three dragons loom as guardians of riddles, courage, and community spirit. Crafted with the distinctive Lyonnais wit that has charmed audiences for generations, the show plays with suspense and humor in equal measure: younger spectators revel in the colorful action and call-and-response moments, while adults catch the sly social nods that have always been part of Guignol’s DNA. Our resident puppeteers draw on time-honored techniques—expressive wooden figures, hand-painted backdrops, rhythmic dialogue, and nimble sound effects—to conjure caves, rooftops, and rivers with a simplicity that feels joyous rather than nostalgic. The staging celebrates movement and surprise: dragons that flicker between playfulness and majesty; swift changes of scale that turn small gestures into grand emotions; and a musical atmosphere that keeps the tale buoyant without ever overshadowing the puppets’ presence. As ever at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the essence is shared experience: the audience’s laughter and gasps become part of the storytelling fabric, stitching past and present together with the unmistakable heartbeat of Lyon.

Our season’s pulse and what awaits you at the theatre

Guignol et les Trois Dragons is part of a season in which our ensemble renews the repertoire with stories that speak to today while honoring the clarity and craftsmanship of traditional Lyonnais puppetry. From bold adventures to tender, family-centered comedies, the company keeps a sharp eye on themes that resonate now—friendship, ingenuity, and the courage to confront the unknown—without losing Guignol’s quick tongue and kindly mischief. On performance days, you will find an artistic team thrilled to open the doors to their world: at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we love to share the fine details of what makes these characters so alive, from the precision of manipulation to the sculptural beauty of the puppets themselves. The acoustics of our room are designed to wrap the voice of Guignol around every seat, and the sightlines ensure that children can follow each flick of a wrist or tilt of a hat—small gestures that carry big emotions. For families, our format is welcoming and dynamic, with a tempo that invites participation and a narrative arc clear enough for the youngest spectators to follow, yet layered with playful asides for adults. For culture lovers, the piece offers the pleasure of a living heritage: satire woven into folklore, local humor balanced with universal stakes, and an artisanal approach that privileges presence over special effects. As the season unfolds, our stage continues to be a meeting point: between artists and audience, tradition and invention, city and legend. We look forward to seeing you discover how Guignol et les Trois Dragons expands the hero’s world without losing his roots—and how, in the glow of our theatre lights, Lyon’s most enduring character still finds new ways to make us laugh, think, and cheer together.