Le Balai de la Sorcière (The Witch’s Broom) is an anonymous play. Its manuscript is kept in the Archives Nationales (national archives of France), in the archives dedicated to theatre censorship. It was submitted to the Bureau des Ouvrages Dramatiques (a French office of censorship for theatrical works) in November 1852 by Mongobert, director of the “Spectacle Fantoccini”, (1852-1854), a Parisian theatre specialised in Féeries for young audiences.

Drawing on a very common theatrical device used in the Fééries from the Second French Empire, the play includes several visual puns: for instance, when Pierrot is about to pour himself a “canon” (glass) of wine, a cannon appears and shoots him. (In French, “canon” usually means “cannon”, but it is also a familiar word for “drink” or “glass”).

As a conversation goes on between Cassandre and Pierrot (his servant), we find out that Arlequin wishes to marry Isabelle, Cassandre’s daughter. However, Cassandre wants her to marry someone else. Pierrot takes advantage of the conversation to talk about the rumours going around in town regarding a witch. Cassandre, sceptical, does not believe them. Later, Arlequin relates having met an elderly lady who turned out to be a witch. Shortly afterwards, the lady appears and promises Arlequin a magic power if he becomes her spouse. He refuses and runs away with Isabelle.

Suddenly, l’Amour (Love), the Bon Génie (Good Genius), appears in front of Arlequin and Isabelle. He recommends that Arlequin searches for a hazel branch that will be their talisman. However, their plan is soon exposed: the whole Caverne du Sabbat (Sabbath Cave) quickly discovers Arlequin’s intentions. At the same time, Cassandre and Pierrot start looking for Isabelle and Arlequin. In the end, Arlequin manages to get the magical talisman and finds Isabelle. Pierrot and Cassandre, still looking for Isabelle, fall into the earth where an enchanted broom relentlessly chases them, but they escape it.

Arlequin and Isabelle are still running away while Cassandre and Pierrot keep trying to catch them. However, it is almost midnight: the witch’s powers over Arlequin will soon disappear. At the last moment, the witch manages to capture the lovers, but the Génie appears and reminds her that the evil hour has come. Powerless, she disappears. The Génie promises to take Arlequin and Isabelle to a city full of happiness, and to bring Cassandre and Pierrot as well.