XVII century, the time of the reign of Louis XIII. In Gascony, in a dilapidated castle, the miserable existence of Baron de Sigonyak, the last offspring of a once noble and powerful family, a young man of about twenty-five, “who would easily have a reputation for being beautiful if he had not completely abandoned the desire to like,” erases. Along with him, his misery is shared by the faithful servant Pierre, the cat Beelzebub, the dog Miro and the horse Bayard.

On one of rainy autumn evenings, the actors of the vagrant theater knock on the castle’s door, “this stronghold of Lent” and the “refuge of poverty” and ask for shelter. As is customary, each comedian has his own constant role, which is why in life he often behaves the same as on stage. Blasius is a pedant everywhere and in everything; Leander's first lover - handsome and veil; Skapen's roguish servant manners reminiscent of a fox; the boastful warrior Matamor, as it should be, “is thin, bony and dry, like a hangman in the summer”; Coquettish and proud Seraphina plays the role of heroines; the venerable aunt of Leonard - “a noble mother” and a duet concurrently; the irresistible coquettish subretka of Zorbin for men “as if made of dough flavored with salt, pepper and spices”; shy and charming young Isabella plays the role of simpletons and, unlike her friends, does not try to attract attention. Isabella "did not blind - she captivated, which is certainly more valuable." The head of the troupe is Tiran, a great man endowed with nature "with all the outward signs of ferocity", which is why he is destined to play Herod and other formidable kings.

With the arrival of this colorful company, the castle comes to life: firewood crackles in the fireplace, food appears on the table. For the first time in a long time, the young Baron feels happy. Listening to the chatter of the actors, he constantly casts his eyes towards Isabella: the baron fell in love ...

In the morning comedians gather on the road. Isabella, in whose soul tender feelings for Sigonyak have also awakened, invites him to go with them - in search of fame and adventure. The knight in love with joy leaves the dull walls of the clan’s nest and, in the wagon of Thespis, follows his beautiful lady.

In a roadside tavern, actors meet Sigonyak's neighbor, the Marquis de Bruyere. The Marquis recognizes the Baron, but, realizing that he was in the troupe because of his love for Isabella, he lets him know that he is not going to open it incognito. Moreover, the marquis himself is captivated by a flirty subretka and, wishing to continue his love affair, invites the troupe to give a performance in his castle.

On the way to the marquise, the actors are attacked by a former gang leader, and now a lone gangster Agosten, who is helped by a little thief and robber Chiquita. To intimidate travelers, Agosten places the corpses of his former associates along the road, arming them with muskets. However, the brave Sigonyak is not afraid of any villains, he easily disarms Agosten and reveals his deception. Having appreciated the fiction, the actors reward the inventive bandit with a pair of pistols, and Isabella gives Chiquita her pearl necklace, thereby earning the touching appreciation of the little thief: the girl promises to never kill her.

The play played by the troupe of Tirana in the castle of Bruyer is a huge success. The marquise falls head over heels in love with a charming subretret, and Leandre manages to win the heart of the beautiful marquise de Bruyeres. However - alas! - his fervent letter to the marquise was intercepted by her husband, and he orders the servants to beat the poor histrion with sticks. The Marquis de Bruyère reserves the right to change the conjugal duty exclusively.

Fairly replenished their treasury, the actors leave the castle. Leander rubs his bruised sides. On the way, their wagon catches up with a rich wagon adorned with the arms of the Marquis de Bruyeres. Servants in the marquise's livery take away a pretty subrecretion - of course, with her full consent - to an ardent admirer. On the way, Isabella tells Sigonyak the sad story of her life. Her mother, an actress who played in the tragedies of the queens, was not only very pretty, but also proud and always fought back to annoying boyfriends. Only once her heart trembled, and she gave way to a powerful and noble nobleman. The fruit of this love was Isabella. State interests did not allow the nobleman to marry an actress. Isabella's mother, not wanting to be obligated to the treacherous lover, fled with her little daughter and continued to play on stage. Soon she died - withered from longing, and little Isabella remained in the troupe of Tirana, where she was raised. She does not know the name of her father; only the ring with the family coat of arms is preserved from her.

A snowstorm catches in the path of the actors, during which Matamor dies. The troupe is in despair - without a comic captain it is impossible to play a single piece from their repertoire! Wanting to thank his new friends, Sigonyak decides to take the place of Matamor on the stage. He declares that he is shedding his baronial title, “hides it in styling, like an unnecessary dress” and takes on himself the name Captain Frakass!

On the farm of the actor Bellombra, Sigonyak successfully debuts in the role of Thracassus before the peasants. But a severe test awaits him: in Poitiers he will have to go on stage in front of a noble public, that is, grimace, play the coward and fanfaron, endure the blows with a stick from the fatal Leander in front of his own equal. To overcome shame, Sigonyak puts on a cardboard mask with a red nose, which is quite suitable for his image.

The tender participation of the beautiful Isabella helps Sigonyak brilliantly play his role. The performance is wildly successful. Moreover, Zerbina returns to the troupe, who is bored with the role of her lover. However, the marquise is also following her: he cannot deny himself the pleasure of seeing his eccentric lover on stage.

A modest Isabella suddenly appears a noble admirer - the young Duke de Vallombrez, arrogant handsome, spoiled by easy victories over women, sparked with passion for her. Having received a well-deserved rebuff, the duke becomes furious. Having penetrated the dressing room, he with a careless gesture wants to glue the fly on the chest of the young actress. Sigonyak’s iron hand stops the insolent. Without removing his mask, the baron challenges the duke to a duel.

The duke does not believe that under the guise of Thracassus a nobleman is hiding, and sends the servicemen in his service to beat off the impudent comedian. But Sigonyak, along with fellow actors, disperse the servants of the duke. And in the morning the Marquis de Bruyere comes to the Duke and brings him a challenge from Baron de Sigognac. The Marquis confirms the nobility of the clan of the Baron and hints that the young man just because of Isabella joined the stray actors. Vallombrez accepts the challenge.

Sigonyak, whose teacher was only faithful Pierre, who once labored in the field of a fencing teacher, without knowing it, studied the noble art of owning a sword to the point. He easily defeats the duke - wounds him in the arm, thereby depriving him of the opportunity to continue the fight.

Upon learning of the duel, Isabella was frightened and moved at the same time - because of her, the noble Sigonyak risked his life! There is an explanation of lovers. Baron offers Isabella a hand and a heart. But she rejects him: a rootless actress has no right to the nobleman’s hand, and honor does not allow her to become his mistress. Like his beloved, Sigonyak is both desperate and delighted, however, he has no choice but to continue to follow the troupe, protecting Isabella from the machinations of Vallombrez.

In an effort to hide from the duke's persecution, the actors travel to Paris, hoping to get lost in his crowded life. But the vengeful nobleman watches them. In Paris, he hires a first-class fencer and chestmaster Jacqueman Lampourd to kill Sigognac. However, the baron wields a sword better than a hired killer and disarms him. Lampourd, admired by the young man's fencing skill, swears eternal devotion to him. An honest sacker even promises to return to the customer the money paid to him for the murder of Sigonyak.

Vallombrez is trying to steal Isabella from the hotel, where the actors stayed, but he does not succeed. The furious Duke goes to the trick. He sends his servant to Tiran, and he, on behalf of a certain count, invites actors to the castle not far from Paris, promising to pay well. As soon as the van leaves the city limits, the servants of the duke kidnap Isabella: they attack her when she and Sigonyak go slowly behind the wagon. So that Sigonyak could not repulse the girl, a wide cloak with a lead sewn into the edges is thrown over him, in which he is entangled, as if in a network. When the baron manages to free himself, the kidnappers are already far away. Actors understand that they were deceived. Sigonyak swears to kill the Duke.

The abductors bring Isabella to the castle of Vallombreza. In it, the girl discovers Chiquita: a small thief accompanies Agosten, hired along with other shoulder straps to guard the castle. Isabella asks the girl to tell Sigonyak where she is.

The Duke de Vallombrez is trying to take possession of Isabella, but Sigonyak and his fellow actors who arrived in time frustrate his plans. Between Sigonyak and Vallombrezom begins a fierce duel, and the Baron mortally wounds his opponent. Suddenly, the father of the duke appears - the majestic prince de Vallombrez. Upon learning of his son's dishonest act, he appeared to punish the guilty and restore justice. Noticing on Isabella’s hand a ring that she got from her mother, he recognizes him and understands that the girl kidnapped by his son is his daughter.

Actors with Sigonyak leave the castle. The prince leaves with him his newfound daughter. The Duke of Vallombrez, who turned out to be Isabella's brother, is near death.

Sigonyak, whom nothing else holds in the troupe of stray comedians, leaves them and, mourning his love, returns to his native castle, intending to spend the rest of his days in his dull walls.

Through the efforts of doctors and the care of Isabella, the duke is recovering. Desiring to atone for his sister, he goes to Sigognac to make peace with him and offer him Isabella's hand, which Prince de Vallombrez recognized as his daughter.

Isabella marries Sigonyak. She takes to her service her friends-actors, as well as Chikita, who lost her patron: the bandit Agosten was sentenced to wheeled, and the little thief, saving her friend from shameful execution, stabbed him with her dagger.

So, the baron’s dreams came true: the family castle was restored, the coat of arms of Sigonyak sparkled - three storks on the azure field, the faithful Bayard and Miro found a warm stall, and Pierre - a rich livery. True, Beelzebub dies, but through his death Sigonyak becomes rich - going to bury the cat, he finds a treasure.

Lovers united, the abode of sorrow became the abode of happiness. “Verily, fate knows what it is doing!”