At the end of the 18th century, the Théâtre Séraphin, which gained recognition through shadow theatre, diversified its performances and began staging puppet plays, including fééries. La Perruque de Cassandre (Cassandre’s wig) has been adapted several times: by Laure Choisy at the Théâtre des Petits-Tréteaux (Geneva, 1937), using string-puppets and under the name La Perruque de l’oncle Séraphin, and with human actors, as staged by Anne Caprile at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier (Paris, 1971).

Cassandre wants to marry his daughter Colombine to the baker Pierrot, but she prefers Arlequin, his cousin, a wigmaker and the inventor of an anti-baldness cream. Cassandre is about to eat an egg from the bird Rock, but the bird steals his wig. He promises to give his daughter’s hand to anyone who will be able to bring the wig back to him. With the help of his godmother the Fée Carabosse (Wicked Fairy), Pierrot travels in the air, accompanied by Arlequin, who grabbed his leg. They arrive on an island where a crocodile almost eats Pierrot, and they embark on a small boat that breaks in half after an argument between them. On the Île des Bêtes (Island of the Beasts), the Lion is upset because it is losing its mane. Arlequin offers it the cream, but first, he tries it on Pierrot. The Lion is enthusiastic and decides to name it the Pommade du Lion (Cream of the Lion). Cassandre arrives, and when he witnesses Arlequin’s success, he gives him Colombine’s hand in marriage.