The enchanter Merlin captured Marie – the young woman loved by the painter Arthur. To free her, Arthur and his valet Guignol go through many adventures. Merlin comes into Arthur’s workshop so that he draws his portrait. Guignol also tries to paint Merlin’s portrait, but he fights with the painting, which keeps transforming because of the enchanter’s spells. Arthur then visits Merlin thanks to a gift from Marie’s godmother – the Fée Merveilleuse (Marvellous Fairy): a talisman that makes him invisible. Only Marie can see him. She advises him to go to the Sorcière’s hut (the Witch’s hut), which he does with Guignol. At the Sorcière’s hut, they meet the madman Richepance – her assistant. The Sorcière welcomes Arthur while Guignol is mistreated for a long time by the furniture of the house which keeps playing with him. Arthur and Guignol can finally save Marie. But she is under a spell by Merlin that makes her look very old. Arthur still wishes to free and marry her, but Marie believes that it would be too great a sacrifice for him to marry an old woman. Merlin is jubilant at the sight of the torn couple. The Fée Merveilleuse is moved by Arthur’s devotion. She sets Marie free from the spell and restores her true appearance. The lovers can finally marry, and Merlin is defeated.

Glove-puppet

All audiences

France

Saint-Étienne

Manuscript

Love

Magic

Valet

Kidnapping

Test

Portrait

Fantasy

Comical

La Case de la sorcière (cover page)

French

Guignol

Magician

Merlin

Fairy

Situation comedy

Word warping

Apparition of a wizard

Magic spell

Set that comes to life

Slaps

Change of age

Invisible force

La Case de la sorcière

The witch's Hut

Polichinelle, a “broken old man” with a beard and white hair, enters the scene followed by some Gamins (Kids) making fun of him. The Génie de la Fontaine Molière (the Fontaine Molière Genie) appears, chases away the Gamins and comforts Polichinelle: he complains about his old age and relates his past achievements in Italy, Germany, England and France. They are both sorry for the death of writer Charles Nodier (1780-1844), who had praised Polichinelle. The Génie makes the statue of Molière that ornates the fountain appear, and he tells Polichinelle to drink from the fountain. Polichinelle obeys and immediately rejuvenates. Arlequin, Colombine, Pierrot, Léandre and Cassandre appear with the cast of a ballet who invites Polichinelle to join everyone and dance.

Not specified

Paris

Old age

Aging

Laughter

Didactic

La Fontaine de jouvence, page from the manuscript

Polichinelle

Genie

Child

Personnages de l'ancienne Comédie Italienne

Arlecchino

Cassandre

Colombine

Pierrot

Leandre

Dancer

Multi-voice shouting

Play in verse

Avista

Ballet

La Fontaine de jouvence

The Fountain of Youth

The man with the wrought-iron heart – now an old man – relates his story. He reminisces about his childhood, and thinks about the first time he played the piano – a moment which coincided with the death of his younger brother. It is now him who plays the piano for a child.