7.9.11

Postcards from Paris: {Tap Tap Tap sur Guignol}





For some time now I've been waiting for the opportunity to see one of these performances with the infamous Guignol. The little french girl I watch was describing the show with an exaspperated tone in a pace so fast I could hardly comprehend it all The urgency to arrive on time was apparent, that I understood. Her excitement was contagious, and I found myself anxious for a good seat. Though we missed the first few wacks, we arrived when a new character was being introduced, and the crowd was calm. She squeezed further up the rows where no sign of adults were present. I had to keep my composure and stay with the crowd closer to my age, even though I so wanted to be a child again yelling, pointing, screaming, laughing, and clapping without a care in the world. It's practically a deafening experience, but the children's energy and excitement is so wonderful that the yells and laughter are encouraged. Even if a grown-up was plugging their ears, he or she still had a charmed smiled stretched across their face.
I was afraid that these "modern" children wouldn't appreciate the show as much as children did in the past. At times I am concerned that craft is being overridden by the likes of technology, or that sarcasm has replaced simple laughter. What a pleasant realization that children can still be children, and adults can still be children too, but who have to sit in the back rows.
This is a clip from The 400 Blows (1959) by François Truffaut.
Above images from:
wikipedia.org
www.guignol.fr
www.theatreguignol.fr

www.guignolparis.com

Bisous,

4 comments:

hayliebird said...

wow- i want to go!
i love that clip. i wish to be a kid again after watching that :) the expressions on their faces as the wolf goes after red riding hood are just too good!!
thank you for sharing, reba.

Reba Baggett said...

Of course, Haylie. You must go to one when you are here. I'd love to accompany you. There is even fresh popcorn, popped and sold for the show.

Kelsey said...

Reba! this is the most wonderful! I cant get over how amazing the dolls themselves are.

Reba Baggett said...

They are amazing Kels, like a French- slightly violent- version of the Mister Rogers' marionettes.