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

At SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL: welcoming Mon premier Guignol

From our stage in SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL, we are delighted to invite families, first-time theatergoers, and devoted admirers of Lyon’s puppet heritage to discover Mon premier Guignol. This tender, playful introduction to the city’s emblematic character is crafted for young audiences and for adults eager to share a first cultural outing with children. In our intimate room, the scale of the castelet, the clarity of the voices, and the gentle rhythm of the scenes are designed to reassure little ones while keeping the sparkling, mischievous spirit of Guignol intact. Expect vivid colors, hand-crafted details, and the joyous ritual of call-and-response that makes the whole room feel like part of the story. Mon premier Guignol lets children see a curtain rise, watch characters enter with purpose, and learn the art of applause—small but foundational moments that turn a simple morning or afternoon into a lifelong memory of theater.

The living art of Guignol today, on our stage

As a venue dedicated to this beloved tradition, we champion the continued artistic life of Guignol through new scripts, refreshed stagings, and careful attention to craftsmanship. This season at La Maison de Guignol, our resident creative team deepens the repertoire with scenes tailored to young imaginations—short, bright, and musical—while honoring the folklore that locals cherish. You will recognize the familiar silhouettes of Guignol and his companions, such as Gnafron and Madelon, yet the performance is paced to welcome very young spectators with humor that is clear, kind, and delightfully cheeky. Our technicians favor warm, precise lighting and a sound design that keeps voices intelligible at a comfortable volume, so every exclamation and playful aside lands with clarity. Between the painted backdrops, the rhythmic entrances, and those moments where the audience is invited to warn a character or join a refrain, Mon premier Guignol stands at the crossroads of cultural heritage and contemporary stagecraft. It is a living art, shaped performance by performance by the responses of children and the savoir-faire of puppeteers who nurture curiosity and laughter.

What makes the experience singular in SALLE 2 - THEATRE MAISON DE GUIGNOL is the closeness between stage and audience: little eyes can follow each gesture, and adults can enjoy the finesse of the puppeteers’ timing and the scenic inventiveness that turns a small space into a world of surprises. We welcome families with the practical comfort that a first theater visit requires—clear signage, attentive staff, and seating that maintains sightlines even for the smallest attendees. The pace of the show respects young attention spans, alternating mischief with quiet, tender beats, so that discovery feels safe and exciting at once. After the performance, children often leave with the spark of a new habit: saying hello to the stage, noticing the colors of a set, and asking how characters come to life. In Vieux Lyon, where Guignol was born from the fabric of local speech and craftsmanship, presenting Mon premier Guignol in our second room affirms a simple idea: the best way to keep a tradition vivid is to make it someone’s very first time at the theater. Here, that first time happens in an atmosphere of care, joy, and playful artistry that we are proud to host and share.