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

Welcoming families to Mon Premier Guignol at SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL

From our stage in SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to open the doors to Mon Premier Guignol, a joyous initiation into Lyon’s beloved puppet tradition designed especially for first-time spectators. In our intimate black-box room, children and accompanying adults sit close to the action, feeling the rhythm of the story, the music cues, and the timeless energy of Guignol’s mischievous wit. The ambience is gentle and warm: a softly lit set, carefully balanced sound, and a welcoming team who guide families to their seats and help the youngest visitors settle in. The experience is crafted around discovery—discovering the call-and-response of the audience with the stage, discovering the expressive vocabulary of marionettes, and discovering how the clever hero outwits bluster and injustice with humor. Mon Premier Guignol is performed in French, yet it leans on clear, physical storytelling that young audiences grasp instantly, from the playful entrances to the lively chases, and of course the famous baton moments that spark laughter across generations. Here, the city’s theatrical heritage feels close enough to touch, and the first encounter is made unforgettable by the intimate scale of SALLE 2.

Our season’s artistic momentum and the living craft behind the show

This season at THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL, our artistic team is expanding the universe that surrounds Mon Premier Guignol with fresh scripts inspired by Lyon’s neighborhoods, handcrafted décor from our in-house workshop, and refined playing techniques that keep the tempo sprightly for young ears. We continue to nurture the craft by carving new figures, restoring historic puppets, and developing music and sound motifs that help children follow the plot beat by beat. Alongside matinées for families, we support school visits and relaxed performances that reduce sensory load while preserving the sparkle of the performance. Our outreach includes behind-the-scenes content on our online channels, where artisans demonstrate how a block of wood becomes a character, and puppeteers share rehearsal glimpses that reveal how voice, rhythm, and gesture converge. This ongoing creative activity strengthens what audiences feel in SALLE 2: a living tradition, renewed each week by artists who love the city’s emblematic hero and by audiences who respond with spontaneous giggles, gasps, and applause. Mon Premier Guignol sits at the heart of that momentum, designed as a first step into a richer repertoire that children can grow into show after show.

Inside SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL, the staging of Mon Premier Guignol favors clarity, proximity, and participation. The dramaturgy embraces all the classic ingredients—Guignol’s good sense and quick tongue, loyal friends like Gnafron or Madelon when the story calls for them, a foolhardy antagonist or pompous authority figure—and turns them into a cheerful primer on fairness and courage. The pace is calibrated for small attention spans: scenes flow swiftly, visual gags land cleanly, and dialogue alternates with action so that even very young viewers remain engaged. Our team greets families at the door, offers gentle guidance on how and when to applaud or call out, and ensures everyone—toddlers, siblings, grandparents—can share the moment. The scale of SALLE 2 enhances the magic; puppets feel larger-than-life while still close enough for children to read every expression. For many, this is not simply a show but a rite of passage, a first taste of theater as a communal game where imagination leads. We are proud to host Mon Premier Guignol here, where the city’s most iconic stage tradition meets the next generation of spectators, one delighted laugh at a time.