As he is hunting with his men, a king meets tumblers travelling from Bohemia in a caravan. He invites them to perform at his palace in the evening. Captivated by the dance of one of the young Bohemian women, the king falls in love. He accommodates the troupe for ten days and asks the woman to meet with him every night. One morning, eager to be free and on the road again, the young woman leaves. Desperate and jealous as lovers consult the oracle of the flowers just under his window, the king feels a surge of anger and officially rules that love is forbidden in the kingdom. Soldiers spy on the lovers, who still meet in secret. Plants wither. Outraged, the people are about to attack the palace; at this moment, however, the young Bohemian comes back: her return and her dance prevent the massacre. Cheered on, she marries the king and gives the lovers the right to love themselves freely again. The four-leaf clovers, which are reminders of unhappy times, are pulled up. The tumblers’ caravan leaves for Bohemia, leaving the young dancer with royal ceremonies that already smother her…

Shadow theatre

Not specified

Belgium

Brussels

Printed

Love

Freedom

Flowers

Lyrical

Front cover of the book published in 1898

French

King

Dancer

Young woman

Tumbler

Lady in waiting

Page

Soldier

Horserider

People

Young girl

Old woman

Poet

Singer

Dance

Character leaning against the window

Hunting scene

Silent scene

Spectacular turn of events

Procession

Voice

Le Trèfle à quatre feuilles

The Four-leaf clover

A suitcase is moving on the baggage carousel of an airport, of a supermarket or of an industrial area. It is followed by several objects and goods. As the carousel speeds up, the actors handle the goods frenetically. Their struggle to follow the speed of the machine is reflected in their movements. 
The carousel slows down and the actors use their bare hands to mime imaginary objects - glasses being toasted, or a calabash being carried. Then they exchange various objects: a shotgun, a hammer, a book, an axe, … The carousel stops and the actors bring other objects on stage, which they manipulate or simply put on the floor: a small toy car, trophies, a mannequin’s arm, a fire extinguisher, a heater, a loudspeaker, an umbrella, … At the end of the show, boards with outlines representing members of the audience slowly come nearer to the proscenium until the final curtain comes down.