Les Vacances De Monsieur Guignol

A festive rendezvous at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage in the heart of Lyon’s puppet heritage, THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL is delighted to welcome audiences for Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol, a sun-soaked escapade brimming with laughter, quick wit, and the unmistakable verve of the city’s beloved character. As custodians of this living tradition, we love seeing families settle into our intimate auditorium and instantly join the play: children call out clues, grown-ups recognize sly nods to local culture, and everyone sides with Guignol as he navigates holiday mishaps with Gnafron, Madelon, and a cast of spirited accomplices and troublemakers. This new seasonal adventure frames the classic repartee, slapstick surprises, and rhythmic call-and-response that have made Guignol an icon, while highlighting the craftsmanship of the puppets and the precision of live effects. Expect bright seaside colors, bustling markets, and comic misunderstandings that turn a simple getaway into a whirlwind of generosity, courage, and resourcefulness. Our team prepares the room with care so the smallest spectators can see every gesture and hear each gag, because nothing delights us more than the shared gasp that spreads through the audience when Guignol, with his trademark good sense, turns a sticky situation into a victory.

Artistic momentum: tradition renewed on our stage

Beyond the joy of Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol itself, this season marks a vibrant moment for our puppeteers and creative collaborators. At THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the company continues to explore the timeless bond between Guignol’s popular satire and today’s family audiences, refining scenography and playing with rhythms that keep the action fleet-footed while preserving the story’s moral clarity. The artisans behind the scenes hone expressive faces and agile hands that read in every row, while the performers shape dialogues that dance between mischievous banter and flashes of tenderness. Educational encounters and daytime sessions help us welcome schools and leisure groups, ensuring that first-time spectators discover how humor and solidarity anchor Guignol’s world. We place special emphasis on sound—the crackle of a summer fair, the creak of a fisherman’s pier, the laughter that ripples across the house—so that the show breathes with the spontaneity of street theater while benefiting from the intimacy of our room. This artistic energy also informs the pacing of the holiday tale: misunderstandings blossom into puzzles that children can help solve, and every obstacle invites Guignol to prove that wit, courage, and a touch of cheek are unbeatable travel companions.

As a venue dedicated to the living heritage of Lyon’s puppetry, we design each performance of Les vacances de Monsieur Guignol to feel welcoming, participatory, and finely tuned to family expectations. Our front-of-house team is ready to guide young theatergoers to their seats and set the mood for active listening—because in our house, responding to the stage is part of the fun. The staging favors clear sightlines and lively cross-stage movement, so even the youngest guests can follow the action as secrets are revealed, rascals are unmasked, and friendship ultimately carries the day. For returning spectators, the show rewards attentive eyes with references to Guignol’s time-honored universe; for newcomers, it opens a door to a local legacy that is as generous as it is mischievous. Hosting the performance at THEATRE LA MAISON DE GUIGNOL means celebrating an art that is both precise and freewheeling: meticulously carved wood meets improvisational spark, ancestral techniques meet present-day humor, and the entire room becomes a chorus answering Guignol’s bright calls. We look forward to seeing the audience gather once again, ready to clap, laugh, and cheer as the holidays turn into a heartwarming adventure.