La Tontonmanie is an anonymous play written in 1853; its manuscript is kept in the Archives Nationales (national archives of France), in the archives dedicated to theatre censorship. It was meant for the Spectacle des Fantoccini, an open air theatre in Paris specialised in fééries for young audiences.

In a conversation between Cassandre and his servant Pierrot, we learn that the entire world has been disrupted: a “fluide tournant” (turning fluid) has been discovered, and people are in a frenzy of trying to make things turn. A “société d’honneur” (honour society) even offers Cassandre the prestigious title of “Chef des Tontonmanes” (Leader of the Tontonmanes). However, after eight days of experiments at his home, no concluding results were obtained. Desperate, Cassandre orders Pierrot to publish an advertisement: he will give his daughter’s hand and his cash register’s key to the first man who will succeed in “making something - anything - turn”.

Colombine, Cassandre’s daughter, enters the stage in tears. She is in love with Arlequin but her father categorically opposes their union. Shortly after, Arlequin reassures Colombine: he has a plan to overcome this obstacle. Meanwhile, Tournesol (Sunflower), an odd man, arrives and introduces himself as a “professeur de Tontonmanie” (teacher of Tontonmanie). Actually, Tournesol was desperate and about to kill himself when he heard of Pierrot’s advertisement. The prospect of marrying a young woman and gaining a case full of money is an unhoped chance for him of finding a new will to live.

Tournesol starts a conversation with Cassandre and offers to make the house turn to prove how well he masters this turning fluid. However, Cassandre is scared of his house collapsing, and flatly refuses. The situation is now very tense: Tournesol promises to carry out his threat and demands Colombine’s hand as well as the key to the case.

Then, Arlequin, dressed as a magician, enters the stage. He makes a bottle of wine and a pâté dance, and then, a table starts talking. When Tournesol tries to find out the secret to this miracle, he is mysteriously hit. Arlequin convinces Cassandre that he is gifted with a mental strength that can make things happen: everytime that Cassandre moves his hands or feet, Tournesol is hit (actually by a very discreet Arlequin). After being hit several times, the humiliated Tournesol runs away.

Shortly after, a Marchand (Merchant) arrives at Cassandre’s house and demands damages: his china and objects made of glass have started to dance. Despite this, Cassandre is happy and believes in his miraculous mental gift. Colombine can marry her beloved Arlequin.