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

Guignol returns to the heart of Lyon at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to welcome audiences of all ages for a new chapter in our city’s cherished marionette tradition with Guignol et les Trois Dragons. Nestled in the heart of Lyon, our stage is dedicated to the living legacy of Guignol—born from the ingenuity of the canuts and carried forward by generations of puppeteers who blend wit, social insight, and spirited improvisation. From the moment the curtain rises, spectators discover why Guignol remains a beloved icon: his quick retorts, sense of justice, and resilient humor turn every challenge into an invitation to laugh, think, and join in. Our venue is crafted for proximity and warmth, so children and adults feel part of the adventure, responding to the classic call-and-response that lets Guignol hear the crowd and, at times, decide what happens next. With Guignol et les Trois Dragons, that shared electricity between stage and seats is front and center.

A handcrafted adventure: Guignol et les Trois Dragons at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

Guignol et les Trois Dragons is an invitation to marvel at puppetry’s power to conjure worlds. Our company brings the tale to life with hand-carved figures, vibrant painted sets, and a rhythmic soundscape that keeps the action lively for younger audiences while offering layers of sly humor for adults. Guided by Guignol’s courage and cheek, the story navigates peril and playfulness, where three dragons become the mirror of our own foibles—fear, greed, and bravado—tamed by resourcefulness, friendship, and a dash of Lyonnais mischief. Expect rapid exchanges, deft choreography behind the castelet, and those surprise moments when the audience’s voices tip the balance in Guignol’s favor. Lighting punctuates twists and reveals, while quick-change décors plunge us from marketplace bustle to fantastical caverns in the blink of an eye. As always at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the tempo is calibrated for family comfort: scenes are crisp, the humor generous, and the finale leaves young spectators buzzing with the irresistible urge to shout “Encore!”

Beyond the stage lights, our artistic team continues to expand Guignol’s universe with new creations, refreshed stagings, and encounters that honor tradition while embracing contemporary storytelling. This season at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are deepening our work on voice, rhythm, and gesture to heighten expressivity and keep the dialect roots alive without sacrificing clarity for first-time visitors. We champion craftsmanship—wood, fabric, paint—and pair it with thoughtful dramaturgy so every detail, from a puppet’s eyebrow to a percussion accent, serves the story. Our programming places Guignol et les Trois Dragons alongside a broader palette of family offerings and heritage revivals, inviting returning audiences to notice how the character adapts to today’s questions with the same bright verve that has made him a Lyonnais emblem for over two centuries. Whether you are discovering Guignol or returning for a new adventure, our house invites you to sit close, listen keenly, and join the play: the magic of the marionette is most alive when it meets your imagination.