Few comedies were written for the Petit-Théâtre des Marionnettes of the Galerie Vivienne, which had first intended to dedicate itself to the staging of dramatic masterpieces which bigger theatres looked down upon, and then to the staging of Maurice Bouchor’s religious dramatic plays. This play by Amédée Pigeon brings together characters from the Commedia dell’arte and from Ancient philosophy – making it a singular case in the history of the Petit-Théâtre des Marionnettes. It was accompanied by music composed by Paul Vidal and sceneries created by Franck Lamy, and it was performed on the same evening as Maurice Bouchor’s La Dévotion à saint André and Le Songe de Khèyam.

Pierrot has been dead for six months when he meets Arlequin in the Underworld. Arlequin has just arrived and tells Pierrot that Colombine quickly forgot all about him after he died. First, she went with Valère, then with Arlequin himself, after he and Martine divorced. After having met Platon (Plato) and Socrate (Socrates) and spied on their conversations, Pierrot and Arlequin begin philosophising about women. When they meet Pluton (Pluto), they ask him to bring Martine and Colombine, whom they yearn to see. The two women are taken alive to the Underworld, but they reject Arlequin and Pierrot as they refuse to live with dead men. To keep them away, Martine sends them both on a mission with Pluton and Caron (Charon). The young women meet Platon and Socrate too, who are both affected by the women’s living flesh. Arlequin is jealous and ready to fight Socrate. However, Pluton comes back and tells Martine and Colombine that Valère has already replaced them both. They ask to be brought back to earth, and Pluton grants their wish. After they are gone, Pluton and Arlequin declare that no woman is trustworthy, but Diotime (Diotima) appears and reminds them of the transfiguring power of love.