Mon Premier Guignol - Le Théâtre La Maison De Guignol, Lyon

Mon Premier Guignol at SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage to your seats, we are delighted to welcome families and first-time theatergoers to SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL for Mon Premier Guignol, a tender, lively, and thoroughly Lyonnais introduction to the world’s most mischievous puppet. As a venue rooted in the historic heart of Lyon’s marionette tradition, we curate experiences that let young audiences feel the thrill of live performance up close: the rustle of the curtain, the sparkle of hand-painted scenery, the quicksilver timing of puppeteers, and the contagious laughter that sweeps the room. In SALLE 2, our intimate second space, visibility and proximity are part of the storytelling—every tap of the bat, every whispered aside, every gasp of surprise is shared between stage and audience. Designed for discovery, Mon Premier Guignol emphasizes participation, rhythm, and clarity of narrative, so that children can follow the plot while adults savor the craft. We shape the atmosphere from the moment you sit down: lights warm and inviting, music playful, and a welcome that sets the tone for a shared adventure.

A living tradition, refreshed for today’s audiences

Mon Premier Guignol has been conceived as a gentle gateway: families meet Guignol, Gnafron, and Madelon as we keep faith with the humor and humanism born in Lyon’s 19th‑century workshops, while renewing the staging for today’s eyes and ears. Our resident puppeteers have prepared crisp, responsive scenes, weaving classic situations—marketplace scrapes, mistaken deliveries, cleverly foiled tricksters—into a fluid sequence that balances physical comedy with witty repartee. Musical cues are performed with a light touch to guide the youngest spectators through changes of mood, and call-and-response moments invite them to warn Guignol when a prankster sneaks onstage. In recent months, our artistic team has focused on restoration and innovation: refreshing hand-carved figures, repainting backdrops in brighter palettes, refining sightlines for SALLE 2, and workshopping new dialogues that remain true to the spirit of Laurent Mourguet’s social satire while introducing themes children recognize—sharing, friendship, and the courage to speak up. You may hear affectionate nods to time-honored saynètes like Le Déménagement de Guignol or Guignol au marché, reframed to keep the pace crisp and the humor inclusive.

As a venue, we also champion the evolving artistry around Guignol beyond this single production. This season, our programming team has expanded family-friendly slots in SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL, coordinating school-day performances and relaxed sessions that gently adapt lights and sound for very young audiences. We collaborate closely with makers and musicians to keep the puppets’ physical language expressive, the voices precise, and the transitions seamless; behind the scenes, our workshop has been testing sustainable materials for props and touch-ups, ensuring durability without losing the tactile charm that defines these characters. We believe the first encounter with theater should be a feast of curiosity, so Mon Premier Guignol is paced to reward attentiveness with surprise: a drawer that hides a secret, a scarf that becomes a river, a clattering chase that resolves in a warm, communal ending. Whether you grew up with Guignol or are discovering him alongside your child, we invite you to settle in, listen for the telltale tap on the little stage, and share the sparkling complicity that only live puppetry can create in SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL.