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

Guignol et les Trois Dragons at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage nestled in the heart of Vieux Lyon, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL is delighted to welcome audiences for Guignol et les Trois Dragons, a lively new chapter in the city’s most beloved puppet tradition. Stepping into our intimate house, you’ll find the warmth of carved wood, the shimmer of painted backdrops, and the spirited voice of Guignol himself ushering you into an adventure where wit outmatches brute force. This production blends the sparkle of classic repartee with a fresh, family-friendly quest that brings out Guignol’s trademark courage and mischievous humor. Children lean forward, adults smile at sly asides, and everyone joins the playful call-and-response that has animated Lyon’s evenings for generations. Crafted to be both accessible and rich in detail, the show pairs brisk dialogue with expressive movement, colorful scenery, and music that underscores suspense and laughter in equal measure—an ideal outing for locals and curious visitors alike.

Our stage, our season: a living heritage in motion

As a venue devoted to the living craft of puppetry, we continue to renew the repertoire while honoring its roots. This season at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, our resident artists have been developing new scenarios that place Guignol and his faithful companions side by side with topical themes—friendship, community spirit, and the small acts of bravery that bind neighborhoods together. Time-honored figures such as Gnafron and Madelon make appearances across our programming, reinterpreted with crisp pacing, contemporary humor, and fine-tuned gestures that showcase the precision of the glove-puppet technique. Beyond the performances, our house nurtures the next generation of audience members and makers through encounters, introductions to the craft, and moments that reveal how a voice, a hand, and a bit of cloth can ignite imagination. With artisans contributing to sets and costumes and musicians enriching the sound world, the theatre remains a living workshop where tradition meets invention.

Guignol et les Trois Dragons brings that creative momentum to the fore with a staging that favors clarity, rhythm, and surprise. Without giving away the twists, expect three very distinct “dragons,” each with a personality that invites playful banter from Guignol and eruptions of laughter from the crowd. The dramaturgy moves nimbly from mischief to suspense to jubilant triumph, all while keeping steps light for younger spectators and layers of irony for adults. Shifting scenes suggest both the familiar corners of Lyon and the far-off landscapes of a tale, while lighting and silhouette work conjure dragon scale and shadowy lairs without ever overwhelming the intimacy of the booth. Performed in French, the show remains easily readable for non-francophone audiences thanks to visual humor, bold character design, and the musicality of the dialogue. At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the closeness between stage and seats turns every exchange into a shared secret—one that ripples with applause long after the curtain falls.