Gnafron is crippled with debts and flees to Madagascar with Guignol, but they board on a military ship and are forced to become soldiers. When they land in Madagascar, Gnafron is kidnapped by the Hovas, who believe him to be a general. They take him to their queen. Their own general having been captured by the French, they want Gnafron to replace him.
Guignol goes to Gnafron’s rescue. He enters the capital and tells the Queen that the French army is approaching. She agrees to surrender because she has fallen in love with Guignol. To avoid the watchful eye of the Prime Minister – who happens to be her husband – she meets Guignol in the main square of the town. There, the soldiers are training under the lead of the new general, who will be in a position to help them because he is French. Guignol therefore finds Gnafron. He lets him on his plan to seduce the queen and conquer the island. Gnafron agrees to help him. When he sees the Prime Minister approaching, he warns Guignol and the Queen. The Prime Minister tries to trigger a rebellion against the colonisers. He captures Guignol and plans to execute him. To save time and to free Guignol, the Queen postpones the execution to the following day. The French army walks into town. The Prime Minister asks the Hovas to fight for him. But as they are led by Gnafron, they attack the Prime Minister instead, and he flees. The Queen is freed. Guignol becomes Prime Minister; Gnafron marries Madame Dumont, who is expecting a child from a Hova man; and the French general announces that the mission was a success.

Glove-puppet

Not specified

France

Lyon

Manuscript

Creditor

Madagascar

Boat

Army

Metis

Colonialism

Love

Racism

Treason

Female warrior

Comical

Dramatic

Tony Tardy, Les Aventures de Guignol et Gnafron à Tananarive

French

Voyage de Guignol et Gnafron à Madagascar

Guignol

Gnafron

Prime Minister

Leader

Hova

King's messenger

Sergeant

Captain

General

Caporal

Queen

Tripe maker (woman)

Grocer

Pork butcher

Butcher

Landlord

Spy (woman)

Warrior (female)

Soldier

Misunderstanding

Song

Character wearing heavy makeup

Apotheosis

Cross-dressing

Les Aventures de Guignol et Gnafron à Tananarive

The Adventures of Guignol and Gnafron in Tananarive