Climène – a provincial woman who abhors the countryside – is staying at an inn in Paris, to keep her father company while he is being kept in the city for a trial. Together with her servant Laurette and two of her friends, the Marquis and Timante, they make fun of the way the other characters speak. They all attend a puppet show, comment on it, and are chided by the puppet Pantalon.

Not specified

Poisson Raymond (aka Belleroche)

France

Paris

Printed

Very young girl's marriage

Provincial life

Talking nonsense

Comical

French

ou les Marionnettes

Marquis

Vicomtess

Gascon

Normand

Flemish

Brisefer

Innkeeper

Fanchon

Pantaloon

Inn scene

Comical foreign accent

Comical regional accent

Puppet theatre within the theatre

L'Après-souper des auberges

The After-supper at the inns

The Compère (Stooge) is surprised when he sees two Polichinelle walk onto the stage: one of them is Arlequin dressed as Polichinelle, and the two quarrel. Alone, Polichinelle then asks the benevolent Fée (Fairy) to change him into Arlequin. She also gives him the power to transform anyone he wants into Arlequin. Several characters come to him: a Marchand (male Merchant) who wants to go to a ball to make sure that his wife is not being unfaithful to him; the female peasant Margot, who wants to become rich; an Ivrogne (Drunkard) who believes that he is at the Comédie-Italienne; and a Danseuse (female Dancer).

Rod and string marionette

Double

Rivalry of theatres

Disguise

Social ascension

Fantasy

Les Métamorphoses de Polichinelle, Soleinne collection, BnF

Polichinelle

Arlecchino

The Interpreter

Fairy

Merchant (man)

Peasant (female)

Drunkard

Dancer

Double characters

Misunderstanding

Metamorphosis

Final song

Dancing entertainment

Aria

Les Métamorphoses de Polichinelle

Polichinelle's Metamorphoses