Monsieur Sapin (Mister Fir Tree) and Monsieur Fagot (Mister Bundle of Sticks) pretend to be philosophers. They convince Polichinelle to do so too. After quarrelling with her husband Polichinelle, Dame Gigogne also decides to become a philosopher. Outside his shop, Polichinelle puts a sign claiming that he is a philosopher. Arlequin and Gille, who want to take revenge on philosophers, assault Polichinelle, but he defeats them. Monsieur Sapin and Polichinelle see Dame Gigogne walk on all fours before giving birth to many children. All the characters sing a vaudeville together and the children dance at the very end of the play.

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

Cadet de Beaupré (Louis Poinsinet de Sivry, aka Cadet de Beaupré)

France

Passy

Printed

Swazzle

Philosophy

Revenge

Deception

Pedant

Woman

Comical

Satirical

French

Comédie en un acte

Polichinelle

Gille

Arlecchino

Mother Gigogne

Metadiscourse on puppet theatre

Ballet

Multiplied characters

Childbirth on stage

Comical entrance

Domestic scene

Final song

Fight

Les Philosophes de bois

The Wooden philosophers

The show is divided into two parts. In the first part, Joseph and Mary arrive at Tirisiti's inn, who refuses to give them shelter. This is followed by the traditional episodes of the angel’s appearance, the nativity, the adoration of the shepherds and the Magi. During the flight to Egypt, the Holy Family finds refuge under a palm tree which conceals them from the eyes of their pursuers. The Captain of the soldiers interrogates the farmers who tell him that they saw the fugitives passing by while they were sowing. At that moment, the wheat sprouts miraculously, confusing the soldiers who give up the pursuit. The tree opens its palms and reveals the Holy Family who continue on their way.
The second part, the one with secular action, is divided in six scenes with situations and characters from Alcoy. The Night watchman announces the time and wakes up the characters one after the other. Tirisiti comically presents the local community on its way to mass. An old man argues with the altar boy who holds the church door. Tirisiti sends his wife Tereseta to mass, who exchanges a kiss with the sacristan, but the crowd warns her husband about it. The community leaves the church at the end of the mass, while Tirisiti is repeating his comments. A bull appears and threatens Tirisiti. The famous bullfighter Clásico makes some bullfighting passes in front of Tirisiti who boasts that he can do better than him. A chase begins between the bull and Tirisiti. The bells ring, announcing the march of Moors and Christians who come forward, as in the traditional Alcoy festival. The city's patron saint, Saint Jordi, appears on top of the castle. Tirisiti decides to leave the city, packs his bags and leaves for the Moon in a hot-air balloon. But the hot-air balloon bursts and Tirisiti falls with it.

All audiences

Pepe Esteve el Betlemero (Josep Esteve, aka el Betlemero)

Spain

Alcoy

Crib

Custom

Nativity

Folklore

Popular theatre

Spanish bullfighting

Party

Gas balloon

Mass (liturgy)

Daily life

Comments

Bullfighting

Christmas

Visitation Festival

Religious

Didactic

Catalan

Innkeeper

Virgin Mary

Melchior

Wise Men (Biblical Magi)

Shepherd

Soldier

Night watchman

Grand-father

Sacristan

Bullfighter

Bull

Saint George

Moorish

Joseph

Jesus

Angel

Caspar

Balthazar

Captain

Choirboy

Christian

Ploughman

Narrator

Address to the public

Dialogue with the audience

Fight with an animal

Chase

Christmas carol

Instrumental tune

Apparition

Improvised dialogue

Current affairs

El Betlem de Tirisiti

La crèche de Tirisiti