Christmas Shows
Waiting for Father Christmas
Polichinelle sets off in search of the old man with a beard. Glove puppet, live accordion, audience participation.
Discover ↓ New creation 2025 · 50 minPulcinella: The Christmas Gifts
Polichinelle discovers that giving brings as much joy as receiving. Dragon, mischievous elf and Father Christmas await.
Discover ↓Christmas Show
Waiting for Father Christmas
Glove puppet & accordion
Waiting for
Father Christmas
Anastasia Puppis & Léandre Simioni
It is almost midnight and Polichinelle is in a festive mood! Everything is ready for Father Christmas: the decorated tree, the stocking on the chimney, cinnamon cookies for the reindeer and elves… But Christmas night passes and the old man with a beard never arrives. Polichinelle sets off to find him — but first a strange animal, then the bogeyman, and finally Don Pasquale interrupt his quest! Everyone must sing together to summon the Christmas spirits.
Polichinelle and Father Christmas are ancient, cosmopolitan characters. The former is born from an egg and has a high-pitched, bird-like voice — a magical, mysterious creature who never loses his humanity. Father Christmas descends from Saint Nicholas of Myra: a «migrant figure, rich in diverse cultural borrowings».
New creation 2025
Pulcinella: The Christmas Gifts
Puppets & live music
Pulcinella:
The Christmas Gifts
Anastasia Puppis & Léandre Simioni
Polichinelle loves receiving gifts. But this year, he discovers that giving brings just as much joy! He sets off in search of presents for Teresina and her friends. Along the way: a dragon to tame, a mischievous elf, and a few «borrowings» to justify… Between slapstick antics and tenderness, this Christmas tale cheekily questions what really matters during the festive season. What if the most beautiful gift wasn't under the tree?
Full synopsis ↓
Teresina engages Polichinelle in conversation about what he loves most during the holidays: is it family, children, delicious cakes, or perhaps gifts? Our friend makes no secret of his fascination with presents, while Teresina seems more attached to the presence of children…
Driven by the revelation that giving can be as great as receiving, Polichinelle sets off on a quest — and manages to find three beautiful gifts. But a dragon comes to steal his treasure, and a mischievous elf enjoys making them disappear and reappear as if by magic! The arrival of Don Pasquale turns everything upside down — it turns out Polichinelle had come to take the gifts from under his tree…
Christmas magic finally prevails when Father Christmas himself brings an unexpected gift: from a pretty parcel emerge little Polichinellos and a small girl…
Artistic statement ↓
Since 2019, every year as Christmas approaches, we take to the road for a tour across France. Villages, decorated festive halls, media libraries, theatres — we have performed in very different venues, and it is always the same joy that drives us.
What we love about Polichinelle is his ability to bring people together. With him, young and old alike sing, laugh, and live the performance to the full. The Christmas show is one of the rare moments in the year when we celebrate by attending a performance together, where the festivity comes from sharing a common story.
Based in Nièvre, we are committed to bringing theatre everywhere, including places where it does not often come. We are fully equipped: black stage backdrops, battery-powered lights, snow effects and garlands.
Technical rider
Technical information
Overview
Space requirements
- Width: 4–5 m — Depth: 3–4 m
- Minimum height: 2.5 m
- Flat, stable floor
- Maximum distance from last spectator: 20 m
- The company brings a black backdrop to dress the stage and draw the audience's full attention to the show
Setup
- Arrival: minimum 1h30 before the performance
- Setup: 1h — Strike: 30 min
- Quick stage clearance possible in 10 min
Technical requirements
- 1 power socket 220V (snow effects and garlands)
- Darkness recommended for the best experience of the lighting effects
- Self-contained show — battery-powered lighting
Booking terms
Schedule
Our performance dates
In the press
Press & reviews
Booking