Blind Woman is lying on her bed, which is on top of her house, and narrating her unsuccessful love stories to Doctor Fell. Her tale lasts for a few days. It ends when the curtain falls and a Marionette comes to announce that the Theatre Director found a way to make her stop her storytelling by gifting her a ring which grants one wish. Blind Woman declares to Doctor Fell that she wants revenge on Jupiter. Thanks to the ring, she turns into a Sphinx to force Jupiter to surrender to her power by asking him riddles. She asks Doctor Fell to dress up as a nanny. Jupiter is sailing at sea, dressed as a ship’s captain. He receives a call from Mama Ops, his mother, who wishes him to meet a smart woman and lets him know that she revealed his location to Blind Woman. Jupiter is distraught and reaches the boat of Blind Boy, Cockatrice, and Columbus, who also decide to dress up to mislead Blind Woman. The latter awaits Jupiter on a dock, under the guise of a Sphinx. She is persuaded that he disguised himself as a woman to get away from her. Jupiter, as a captain, lands with Blind-Boy, Cockatrice, and Columbus, who cross-dress as the Three Graces. Blind Woman, who thinks Cockatrice to be Jupiter, asks him a riddle and snatches his veil. Cockatrice appears, wearing a nightgown and makeup as a lady. Blind Woman faints into Doctor Fell’s arms while the others take this opportunity to get back on the ship and flee. 
When she comes to her senses, she meets a Watchman and tries to trick him with a riddle as well, while the curtain falls.

String marionette

Not specified

Craig Edward Gordon

Italy

Marina di Pisa

Printed

Latin Mythology

Mother

Seduction

Sphinx

Riddle

Boat

Adventure

Comical

Satirical

Fantasy

English

Blind

Physician

Puppet

Jupiter (Jove)

Cybele

Rhea

Blind Boy

Cockatrice

Basilic

Parrot

Columbus

Sailor

Mayor

City councillor

Night watchman

Ellipsis

Lowering the curtain during action

Address to the public

Metamorphosis

Boat mounted on wheels

Talking on the phone

Off-stage voice

Scene of recognition

Disguised character (false identity)

Cross-dressing

Comic speech

Instrumental tune

Anachronism

Jupiter & the Sphinx

Jupiter et le Sphinx

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.

Glove-puppet

Adults

France

Montpellier

Modernity

Tradition

Rupture

Television

Whim

Stardom

Humorous

Black comedy

Robert Destanque, Le Caprice de Polichinelle, 2003.

French

Polichinelle

Puppeteer

Landlord

Constable

Colombine

Arlecchino

Pierrot

Announcer

Television presenter (woman)

Speakerine

Voice

Dialogue between actor and puppet

Monologue

Screen on stage

Throws

Song

Word warping

Le Caprice de Polichinelle

Polichinelle's Whim

Mouse Armstrong and his friend, the mechanic Mitch, are listening to a radio special about mankind's first moon landing. Mouse regrets that no one knows the truth: she was the first person to go to the moon, but the authorities named the human astronaut after him. To make it clear how she achieved this feat, she re-enacts the events with objects made for the purpose. We learn that Armstrong did research in Washington, where she was greeted by an old mouse who said that the history of mouse flying was ancient. Armstrong manages to get into space despite having her rocket plans stolen by a secret police agent, and ends up proving to the mice that the Moon, contrary to their belief, is not cheese.