Les Vacances De Monsieur Guignol

At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL: a living Lyonnais tradition welcomes families

From our stage at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to welcome audiences for Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol, a sparkling family adventure that carries the heartbeat of Lyon’s most emblematic puppet into the joys and mishaps of a holiday escapade. As custodians of an intimate room dedicated to marionette arts, we curate experiences where craft and closeness meet: the carved wood of the figures, the flicker of painted scenery, and the nimble wit delivered just a few meters from the audience. This season’s staging honors the ritual call-and-response that children adore—those moments when young spectators warn Guignol of looming trouble—while allowing the puppeteers to weave in brisk rhythms, topical asides, and a fresh musical palette that keeps the show vibrant. Our team’s approach invites first-time visitors and longtime fans alike to discover how classic characters, time-honed humor, and hand-made artistry remain gloriously alive when presented with contemporary timing, precise choreography, and the warmth of our neighborhood theater.

What to expect from Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol

Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol unfolds as a playful itinerary: bags packed in haste, plans that unravel almost immediately, and a carousel of encounters where resourcefulness matters as much as good manners. You will recognize the spirited repartee, the well-aimed retort, and the famed burst of courage that defines Guignol at his best. Gnafron and Madelon color the journey with friendship and common sense, while a few rascals—true to the tradition—test our hero’s patience and cleverness. Scenic transitions whisk the action from familiar Lyonnais corners to sun-kissed holiday vistas, with quick costume switches and precise manipulation that give each character a distinct physicality. Children will relish the comic chases and surprise entrances; adults will find sly nods to everyday life, from travel snags to neighborly solidarity. The puppeteers’ articulation and rhythm keep the dialogue crisp and accessible, and the sound environment—percussive accents, breezy motifs, and well-timed effects—supports the tempo without overwhelming the handcrafted textures on stage. In our hall, every seat offers a clear view, so the fine gestures, expressive mouths, and twinkling eyes of the marionettes read with delightful clarity.

Presenting this production also allows us to spotlight the current creative pulse of the artists behind our Guignol adventures. Throughout the season at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the troupe refines new scripts and stage business that speak to today’s families while preserving the quicksilver language and ethical backbone that have defined these characters for generations. Recent work has emphasized playful environmental awareness, the value of teamwork, and the joy of imagination—motifs that appear here in holiday guise as Guignol learns to travel light, share well, and keep his cool when plans go awry. The scenography embraces sustainability-minded craftsmanship, with modular sets that transform swiftly to sustain momentum, and lighting that paints each episode with a sunlit glow or a moonlit hush as needed. Our artists relish audience interaction, calibrating timing to the energy in the room so that every performance feels unique and locally rooted. For families seeking a first encounter with Lyon’s beloved hero, and for devoted spectators tracking the evolving repertoire, Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol showcases the agility of a living tradition—bright, generous, and perfectly at home on our stage.