Les Vacances De Monsieur Guignol

Les Vacances de Monsieur Guignol at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are thrilled to welcome families and longtime enthusiasts for Les Vacances de Monsieur Guignol, a sunny, spirited adventure that celebrates the city’s beloved puppet hero. In our intimate, historic setting, the performance reconnects audiences with the living Lyonnais tradition pioneered by Laurent Mourguet, while speaking directly to today’s children with humor, rhythm, and irresistible audience participation. Our puppeteers bring Guignol, Gnafron, and Madelon to life with quick wit, deft improvisation, and the warm complicity that has always defined this repertoire. The holiday theme lets the characters roam through mischievous escapades, musical interludes, and playful chases that invite shouts, laughter, and call-and-response—exactly the kind of engaging theatre our house is known for. Whether it’s your first encounter with Guignol or a cherished family ritual, this production channels the energy of school-break outings and weekend matinees, offering an experience that is as welcoming for curious toddlers as it is satisfying for parents and grandparents eager to share a piece of Lyon’s cultural soul.

As a venue dedicated to the craft and imagination of puppet theatre, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL curates seasons that keep the Guignol spirit fresh without losing its roots. Our artistic team approaches Les Vacances de Monsieur Guignol with the care of guardians and the curiosity of explorers: handcrafted figures, brightly painted sets, and tasteful sound design are paired with modern pacing and clear storytelling. We have prioritized legibility for young ears while preserving the distinctive humor, the melodic cadence of the dialogue, and the light seasoning of Lyonnais expressions that regulars adore. The company’s ongoing work includes educational encounters around puppetry, opportunities for behind-the-scenes discovery, and family-friendly discussions that invite children to ask questions about how voices, movements, and illusions are created. Onstage, the notable evolution this season is a renewed attention to visual rhythm—snappy transitions, expressive lighting contrasts, and prop comedy that keeps even the smallest spectators tuned in. Offstage, our programming continues to highlight the local heritage of Guignol alongside guest projects and creative residencies that enrich the city’s performing arts calendar, ensuring each visit to our theatre feels both familiar and new.

What audiences will find on stage

In Les Vacances de Monsieur Guignol, our puppeteers revel in situations that suit the hero’s sunny side: a getaway that never goes as planned, spirited banter with Gnafron, and Madelon’s clever common sense steering the chaos toward resolution. Expect a cascade of visual gags, nimble wordplay, and the kind of audience prompts that transform children into co-conspirators—helping Guignol outsmart a trickster, spot a hidden clue, or choose the right path. The scenic world evokes the season’s carefree atmosphere—markets, picnics, and city corners that subtly nod to Lyon—rendered in vibrant, portable vignettes that shift with a magician’s briskness. Music underscores the action with jaunty rhythms that cue the younger crowd to clap, chant, and cheer, while adults relish the layered humor and affectionate nods to tradition. Above all, the show embodies what defines our house: a close, friendly rapport between performers and public, a pace that respects short attention spans without sacrificing nuance, and a love of craft visible in every seam, gesture, and voice. At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we believe holidays are a time to share stories that belong to everyone; this production invites families to gather, laugh, and carry Guignol’s good-natured boldness with them long after the curtain falls.