Saint Pierre (Saint Peter), helped by four cherubs, prepares the scene of the Nativity. He rehearses the hymns, and sends the star to the Rois Mages (Biblical Magi) who are gathering at Melchior’s house, from where they will start the journey. In the stable of Matthieu (Matthew), mayor of Bethlehem, Chérubin (Cherub) gives the animals the ability to speak for one evening; they make fun of humans. Meanwhile, Pascal, the mayor’s blind son, urges his parents to search the stable without explaining what he is looking for. Two shepherds argue before being lectured by a third one who urges them to get going. The Rois Mages stop at Hérode’s (Herod) house, who wants to know where they are going. Matthieu visits the scribe Estève, in charge of the census, and the hoteliers Barabbas and Iscariote (Iscariot): the latter complains about the bad behaviour of his son Judas. Saint Joseph and the Vierge Marie (Virgin Mary) turn up for the census and ask the hoteliers for a room, but they refuse. Saint Pierre takes them to his stable that he sets up for the birth of Jésus and the arrival of the popular characters. Pascal miraculously gets his sight back, and the Rois Mages arrive.

Glove-puppet

All audiences

Gignoux Hubert

Czechia

Moravská Třebová

Printed

Crib

Star

Biblical Magi

Nativity

Christmas preparations

Prison camp

Miracle

Disobedient child

Christmas

Religious

Comical

Fantasy

Hubert Gignoux, Noël des anges, 1945. Marcelle Moynier’s copy (Puppet Theatre of Geneva)