Two families, the Gobards and the Courbemanches, are driving to visit the military camp in Saint-Maur. On the way, they notice an accident, which sparks their conversation. When they arrive, they meet a Zouave and start talking with him. Later, they go to the camp of the Turcos (African infantrymen) and meet the Tambour-major (Drum major). They are asked to go to dinner: everyone is there apart from Agathe, the servant. The voice of a man as well as laughter can be heard coming from the woods, which scares the family as they were about to start their meal. Agathe returns, but it starts raining and everyone ends up drenched, tired and starving. The Gobards and the Courbemanches call it a night and part ways. Agathe is the only one who seems to have enjoyed the trip.

Glove-puppet

Not specified

Lemercier de Neuville Louis

France

Paris

Printed

Family

Bourgeoisie

Journey

Army

Colonial troupe

Algeria

Comical

Satirical

Lemercier de Neuville, I Pupazzi. Front cover of the first edition, 1866.

French

Husband

Wife

Daughter

Servant

Soldier

Zouave

Rifleman

Aria

Situation comedy

Comedy of language

Allusion to current political events

Comic distortion of language

Dinner scene

Off-stage voice

Amphigory

Le Camp de Saint-Maur

Saint-Maur Camp

The Plumcake family arrives in Biskra. The wedding of their daughter, Miss Maud, will happen in the Sahara; however, their arrival in the oasis of merrymaking is delayed: they cross paths with a lion and get lost; a caravan comes by and saves the lost family. The spectacular ceremony can finally take place: the procession and dances begin.

Shadow theatre

Switzerland

Geneva

Printed summary

Orientalism

Sahara

Caravan (travellers)

Algerian infantry

Party

Ouled Naïl (Algerian nomadic tribe)

Desert

Wedding

Dramatic

Maurice Potter, engraving advertising the Théâtre du Sapajou, 1896.