Bored, Polichinelle wants to have fun. Pierrot suggests for him to open a theatre, but Polichinelle is penniless. Against the promise of a nice meal, Pierrot takes care of finding the needed money. He makes the Commissaire (Superintendent) and the Gendarme (Constable) believe that Cassandre’s bag of écus is the one that was stolen from him. His trick works, and Pierrot brings the money to Polichinelle who thanks him by beating him with his stick. In his troupe, Polichinelle hires everyone he encounters: they all have a specific talent. This is how Polichinelle’s theatre unveils before our eyes. Being a good director, he calls for the kindness of the audience.

Glove-puppet

All audiences

Desnoyers Fernand

France

Paris

Printed

Theatre

Boredom

Actor

Money

Comical

Satirical

Alphonse Legros, engraving for Fernand Desnoyers' Le Théâtre de Polichinelle, 1861

French

Prologue en vers pour l'ouverture du Théâtre de marionnettes dans le jardin des Tuileries

Polichinelle

Pierrot

Cassandre

Police Superintendant

Constable

Mother Gigogne

Pastry chef

Apothecary

Magician

Death

Arlecchino

Colombine

Devil

Fairy

Blow-with-a-stick

Address to the public

Captatio benevolentiae

Le Théâtre de Polichinelle

Polichinelle's Theatre

Guignol wants to talk to the colonel about something personal. The corporal shares Guignol’s query. Meanwhile, Guignol must empty the small tub which is used as a chamber pot for the entire section. This is precisely why Guignol wishes to speak with the corporal: he does not want to be given this chore anymore. The sergeant arrives and wants to know what Guignol demands, but the latter does not answer. The sergeant is annoyed and hands him the notebook in which chores are recorded, so that Guignol can give it to the corporal Bozon. The corporal tells Guignol that the colonel is here. The colonel invites Guignol to speak. Guignol explains his small tub problem. The colonel asks the sergeant why Guignol is always given this chore. The sergeant explains that there is a “guignol” (a clown/buffoon) in every section and that the “guignol” is responsible for this chore. The colonel punishes Guignol for his pointless complaint. Guignol can only cry out: “Saint Baquet (Saint Small Tub)! Pray for me!”.