Lili

A naive country girl drawn to the carnival world, Lili quickly learns that life with the puppets can be more honest than the men who court her. She grows from starry-eyed dreamer into a perceptive participant in the act, whose natural warmth makes the puppets come alive. Her journey is a mix of vulnerability, resilience, and a restless desire for belonging.

A former dancer whose career was cut short by a WWII injury, Paul channels his talent into puppetry and keeps his true feelings buried behind a harsh exterior. He is complicated, emotionally guarded, and driven by a stubborn pride that masks fear of rejection. Through the puppets, he communicates what he cannot say aloud and gradually shows a capacity for love.

The carnival’s handsome, smooth-talking magician who pursues opportunities beyond the carnival circuit. His flirtatious charm and ambition make him a catalyst for Lili’s heartbreak and for the troupe’s shifting dynamics. He embodies the lure of bigger stages, often at the expense of genuine connections.

Paul’s partner and manager-like figure in the puppet act, pragmatic and business-minded. He weighs loyalty to the troupe against the temptations of bigger venues presented by Paris impresarios. He functions as a foil to Paul’s volatile temperament.

Marc’s wife and a figure around whom jealousy and ambition swirl. She represents the seductive lure of status and the fragile line between personal desire and professional alliances. Her presence intensifies the love triangle at the heart of the carnival world.

A brash red-haired puppet who interacts with Lili and the crowd, serving as a vehicle for misdirection and comic relief. The puppet’s banter helps reveal underlying tensions between characters, especially Paul. Carrot Top exemplifies how the act blends humor with emotional stakes.

A sly fox puppet embodying cunning and swagger, one of the puppet cast that keeps Lili engaged and curious about the act’s inner life. Reynardo participates in the dialogue that shifts Lili’s understanding of art and affection.

A vain ballerina puppet who personifies performance vanity and theatrical vanity. Through her, the story questions what it means to be seen and to perform for others. Marguerite is a vocal element in the puppets’ ensemble.

A cowardly giant puppet that adds physical humor and dramatic contrast within the act. Golo’s presence allows the troupe to explore fear, bravado, and the vulnerability behind a larger-than-life performance.