Nigot (Simpleton), M. Pigetout (literally, Mr Understands-Everything) and M. Machin (Mr Thing) are having lunch together and waiting for M. X…, the author who is supposed to bring the manuscript. However, when M. X… arrives, he is forbidden to enter. Later, M. Forfrais [play on words between “forfait” (flat rate) and “frais” (cost/fee)] , the treasurer, and M. Machin, director of the theatre, have a meeting during which they count the money they made from the performances. M. Machin needs a great sum of money to stage the performance with the leading actor M. Chose (Mr Stuff). Shortly after, M. Chose arrives and asks M. Forfrais for ten thousand francs; the latter tells him that the performance he was hired for has been cancelled and offers to buy his royalties. Then, M. X… visits M. Forfrais and asks for an advance on his royalties. M. Forfrais also suggests for him to drop his share of royalties and tickets for a hundred francs. The young author signs the agreement. M. Chose wishes to modify the play so that his character is constantly on stage; M. Pigetout decides to write to M. X… and asks him to rewrite the play. The play is very successful, but when M. Chose mentions the producers of the performance, he omits the author, who was not even able to see the performance.

Glove-puppet

Lemercier de Neuville Louis

France

Paris

Printed

Meals

Playwright

Stardom

Show

Money

Manipulation

Theatre

Comical

Satirical

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

French

Director of the theatre

Author

Artist

Technician

Treasurer

Actor

Servant

Child

Passer-by

Audience

Situation comedy

Theatre within the theatre

Current affairs

Aside

Criticism of actors' theatre

Address to the public

Le Vrai Bonhomme

The Real Man

Polichinelle no longer wants to play traditional puppet shows. He aspires to be modern and leaves his puppeteer to become a television star. The puppeteer, who is committed to tradition, grieves for Polichinelle and continues his shows with other puppets. Polichinelle is criticized by the viewers and causes trouble for the television program. He asks for the puppeteer’s help. Eventually, he comes back to him.

Video footage

Adults

Montpellier

Modernity

Tradition

Rupture

Television

Whim

Humorous

Black comedy

Robert Destanque, Le Caprice de Polichinelle, 2003.

Polichinelle

Puppeteer

Landlord

Constable

Colombine

Arlecchino

Pierrot

Announcer

Television presenter (woman)

Speakerine

Voice

Dialogue between actor and puppet

Talking on the phone

Monologue

Screen on stage

Throws

Song

Word warping

Le Caprice de Polichinelle

Polichinelle's Whim