Le Théâtre de Polichinelle - Fernand Desnoyers

Printed

34 pages

Author(s)

Le Théâtre de Polichinelle

Prologue en vers pour l'ouverture du Théâtre de marionnettes dans le jardin des Tuileries

Fernand Desnoyers
| 1861 | Paris, France
Genre (as defined by the author)
Prologue
Characters
Polichinelle, Pierrot, Cassandre, Le Commissaire, Le Gendarme, La Mère Gigogne, Le Pâtissier, L'Apothicaire, Fracasse, Le Gandin, Le Magicien, La Mort, Scapin, Arlequin, Colombine, Le Diable, Alzina
Number of acts
12
Note

Le Théâtre de Polichinelle (Polichinelle’s Theatre) is a prologue written in verse by Fernand Desnoyers and commissioned by Louis Duranty for the inauguration of his puppet theatre in the Tuileries Garden in Paris. It was therefore premiered on this occasion, on May 19th, 1861; it was the first part of Duranty’s puppet sketch Les Boudins de Gripandouille.

Plot summary

The birth of Polichinelle’s theatre

Bored, Polichinelle wants to have fun. Pierrot suggests for him to open a theatre, but Polichinelle is penniless. Against the promise of a nice meal, Pierrot takes care of finding the needed money. He makes the Commissaire (Superintendent) and the Gendarme (Constable) believe that Cassandre’s bag of écus is the one that was stolen from him. His trick works, and Pierrot brings the money to Polichinelle who thanks him by beating him with his stick. In his troupe, Polichinelle hires everyone he encounters: they all have a specific talent. This is how Polichinelle’s theatre unveils before our eyes. Being a good director, he calls for the kindness of the audience.

Related works
Les Boudins de Gripandouille1861
Composition date
1861

First performance

Paris, France, Sunday 19 May 1861 -

Premiered at the puppet theatre of the Tuileries Garden (Paris) directed by Duranty.

Publications and translations

Publication

1861

Conservation place

Bibliothèque nationale de France - Paris, France
Language
French
Literary tones
Comical, Satirical
Animations techniques
Glove-puppet
Audience
All audiences
Licence
Public domain

Key-words

Theatrical techniques

Identifiers

DOI
10.15122/isbn.978-2-8124-3290-3.p.0350

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Written by

Carole Guidicelli