Printed
25 pages
Guignol et le jardin magique
Guignol et le jardin magique was written for the Guignol Guérin theatre in Bordeaux. It was played during the 2nd edition of the Salon de l’Environnement (an exhibition about the environment), which was organised by Christian Panonacle in May 2011 as part of the Foire Internationale de Bordeaux (Bordeaux International Fair).
A woman prevents a catastrophe caused by a magician
Madelon is angry with her husband Guignol. Because of his laziness, the garden has turned into a jungle, the harvest has been pitiful, and they have no food to feed the children. Gnafron promises that he will speak with Guignol. He tries to convince his friend to at least repair the spade, but Guignol thinks only of napping and eating. Gnafron then tells him about the magician he has just met.
The magician promises Guignol a bountiful harvest, which will require no efforts as he will use herbicides. Guignol is skeptical, but the magician uses hypnosis on him and Gnafron. Now that he is free to act as he pleases, the magician summons his master – the Devil. With the help of his imps, the Devil sprays herbicides all over the land, and turns it into a desert.
Madelon comes in with a gigantic cabbage. The magician attempts to convince her that this cabbage is far better than the old ones and that, when everything will taste the same, everyone will think the same and there will be no problems anymore. Madelon drives out the magician. The garden becomes wild again and Guignol wakes up – happy to find everything as it was before. He wishes to cultivate the garden, but Madelon asks him to leave it as it is. When Gnafron wakes up, he and Guignol come to the conclusion that one should be wary of all magicians.
First performance
2nd Salon de l'Environnement, Foire Internationale de Bordeaux.
Publications and translations
Michel Suffran, Jeanne Brannens, Guignol Guérin. La Vie au bout des doigts, Les Dossiers d'Aquitaine, 2001, pp. 121-146.