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.

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.