<p>A theatre director has hired Polichinelle for the evening, but Polichinelle is late for the show. When he comes on, he is haunted by the ghost of his conscience, that chastises him for his very instinctive personality. Following the director’s questions concerning what is tormenting him, Polichinelle uses glove-puppets to play episodes from his childhood, when he was often punished for his misdemeanour. Once the flashback is over, Polichinelle wants to improvise some jokes, but the director forbids him from tackling political themes. As he does not know what kind of show to put on, Polichinelle keeps talking about his past – how his parents had him then abandoned him for lack of money, and his first heartbreaks. Polichinelle and the director argue. The latter summons Illness and Death, who want to take Polichinelle with them. While screaming that he is an immortal character, Polichinelle manages to drive them out – thus saving theatre and also making up with the director.</p>

Not specified

Nordmann Jean-Gabriel

France

Meung-sur-Loire

Printed

Childhood

Remembrance

Death

Illness

Unrequited love

Love

Parents

Argument

Grotesque

Comical

French

Fable théâtrale pour comédiens et marionnettes

Polichinelle

Director

Father

Mother

Nurse

Schoolteacher

Devil

Scene fragment

Address to the public

Song

Blow-with-a-stick

Allusion to current political events

Seduction scene

Analepsis (Flash-back)

Fight

Sous le masque tu es mortel pauvre orphelin !

Behind the mask you are mortal poor orphan!