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

Guignol et les Trois Dragons at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are thrilled to welcome audiences for Guignol et les Trois Dragons, a brand-new family adventure that places our beloved Lyonnais hero face to face with a trio of fire-breathing personalities. From the moment the curtain rises, our stage becomes a playground for wit, music, and meticulous puppetry craft: hand-operated figures spring to life in a set that balances classic wooden textures with vibrant color washes and deft lighting, evoking both folkloric charm and a fresh, contemporary energy. True to the spirit of our venue, the show blends slapstick with sharp, good-natured mischief, inviting children to laugh out loud while adults savor the sly asides and social humor that have long defined Guignol. The dragons are more than obstacles; they are characters with quirks and motives of their own, creating a playful tug-of-war that showcases Guignol’s quick thinking, his famous sense of justice, and the agile teamwork of the puppeteers. Expect rhythmic cues, percussion accents, and a swirl of sound effects that punctuate the action, as well as delightful audience call-and-response moments that make every performance a shared celebration.

A living tradition, renewed on our stage

As a historic home for puppetry in Lyon, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL curates seasons that honor tradition while continually refreshing it for new generations. In the wake of our recent family programming and intergenerational events, Guignol et les Trois Dragons embodies the artistic direction we champion: quick storytelling, handcrafted artistry, and a refined sense of timing that keeps the plot zipping along without losing clarity. Our creative team has worked with new scenic textures and playful shadow elements to stretch the visual vocabulary of the show, giving depth and surprise to each scene change. We are equally devoted to environmental mindfulness backstage—reusing materials for set pieces and experimenting with lightweight, durable components that travel well and support the puppeteers’ precision. This season, we have expanded our outreach with discovery sessions tailored to first-time theatergoers, helping younger audiences understand how a flick of the wrist, a flip of a rod, or a tilt of a head can telegraph emotion in an instant. And because Guignol is inseparable from the city that shaped him, the performance carries the unmistakable rhythm of Lyon’s humor—earthy, generous, and acutely observant—while remaining accessible to visitors discovering this living folklore for the first time.

For those joining us at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the experience goes beyond the show itself. Our house prides itself on the intimacy of the room, where every seat feels close to the action and the smallest expressive detail reads clearly. The company’s puppeteers are masters of pace and pause, allowing the audience to breathe with the characters, whether a dragon huffs in feigned menace or Guignol’s baton taps out a triumphant beat. Families will notice how carefully the staging balances suspense and reassurance: moments of mock peril give way to laughter, and the story’s arcs always bend toward resourcefulness, friendship, and fairness. We often see children leaning forward at key cues—when a trapdoor creaks, when a curtain reveals a new lair—while adults chuckle at the double entendres woven into the dialogue. Our front-of-house team is on hand to guide first-timers, and post-performance, we sometimes offer informal meet-and-greet opportunities where artists discuss the care, weight, and mechanics of the puppets. Throughout the run, Guignol et les Trois Dragons stands as a signature encounter with the soul of Lyon on a stage perfectly scaled for wonder—crafted, rehearsed, and performed with the devotion that has made our theater a trusted destination for families and culture lovers alike.