The Mandarin is sad. A new year has begun, and he must negotiate again with Homme-dragon (the Man-dragon), a monster that terrorizes his kingdom. The messenger Djin-Ti offers to speak with the monster for him, even though he is even more afraid of it than the Mandarin. But negotiation is impossible: Homme-dragon asks for princess Yin, the Mandarin’s daughter, or he will eat every child in China. The Mandarin asks Roland and another knight for help, but the monster defeats them effortlessly. The Mandarin, his daughter and Djin-Ti go to Charlemagne for help. Near Liège, Djin-Ti suggests that his master and the princess rest while he speaks with the emperor. But how can he approach Charlemagne? P’tit Colas, a child from Liège, advises Djin-Ti to speak with his friend Tchantchès instead. Tchantchès devises a plan to beat the monster. He suggests that he and the Mandarin set a trap for Homme-dragon. The princess will write a letter to lure him to Liège. The plan is successful: Homme-dragon arrives in Tchantchès’ home and is defeated by him. The Mandarin does not know how to thank his saviour, but Tchantchès needs no thank-you. He invites him to “celebrate this victory and the friendship between China and good old Liège” by drinking peket – the local Jenever alcohol.

Single rod marionettes

Young audiences

Belgium

Liège

Typed or electronic text with handwritten annotations

Monster

Knighthood

China

Liege

Dragon

Fantasy

Mock-heroic

French

Mandarin

Messenger

Orlando

Knight

Princess

Tchantchès

Bird

Off-stage voice

Fighting a monster

Off-stage combat

Character thrown out of the scene

Offstage

Address to the public

Sleeping character

Tchantchès et Mandarin

Tchantchès and Mandarin