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

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL: a living tradition welcomes a daring new quest

We are delighted to welcome audiences back to our intimate stage for Guignol et les trois dragons, a sparkling new adventure that channels the heart of Lyon’s beloved puppet hero while embracing the energy of today’s family theater. At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, our team thrives on the craftsmanship that has animated this character for generations: hand-carved figures, deft manipulation, vivid storytelling, and live voices resonating through the room. This season, our workshop has refined scores, refreshed scenic textures, and sharpened comic rhythms so that every wink, tumble, and riposte lands with precision. Guignol’s quick wit and resourcefulness meet the fantastical presence of three dragons, and the result is a show that is as playful as it is visually rich. From the front row to the balcony, children lean into the action while adults rediscover the satirical sparkle that made Guignol a cultural icon. We invite you to share this festive moment with us, right here in Lyon, where tradition is not a relic but a living, breathing art.

Guignol et les trois dragons: stage magic, laughter, and a city’s spirit

What awaits you on our stage is a brisk tale of bravery disguised as mischief. In Guignol et les trois dragons, our hero stumbles into a riddle-laden tangle of scales, smoke, and surprising friendship. The humor unfurls through brisk dialogue, precisely timed gags, and a choreography of puppets that dart, swoop, and snap with a life of their own. Our puppeteers build the world in layers: a painted village glows under shifting light, shadows stretch into dragon silhouettes, and a miniature storm gives way to a sunrise over Lyon’s rooftops. We design our productions so that young audiences can follow every twist, and yet the subtext—about fear, courage, and community—speaks to older spectators, too. Expect call-and-response moments that invite the whole room to cheer, warn, or tease; expect music cues that propel the adventure forward; expect those small silences where a wooden face somehow feels human. Most of all, expect to feel the contagious joy that fills theater seats when a timeless character meets a fresh challenge on a crisp, contemporary stage.

As a house dedicated to the enduring art of marionettes, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL continues to expand its artistic footprint this year with new scenographic elements, original music textures created for our repertoire, and refined manipulation techniques that heighten expression without losing the rustic charm that audiences adore. Our creative team has been busy developing extended sequences of physical comedy for the dragons, experimenting with perspective shifts and miniature stage “transformations” that keep the narrative nimble and the eye delighted. Alongside performances, we deepen our engagement with families and first-time theatergoers by revealing more of the craft—how a gesture becomes a character, how a voice becomes a world—through accessible post-show moments when schedules allow. Guignol et les trois dragons embodies everything we aim to share: the warmth of a neighborhood theater, the precision of artists at the top of their craft, and the pride of a city that has nurtured Guignol for over two centuries. Whether you join us for a weekend outing or plan a special family occasion, our stage is ready to welcome you into a story that celebrates imagination, solidarity, and the resilient spirit of Lyon.