Since The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery was published nearly 80 years ago, it has been one of those widely known literary works that people are familiar with even if they haven’t read it. If only for its arresting cover illustration of a boy with blond hair standing on an asteroid in space. The book beloved by children and has translated into many different languages. But given its philosophical musings and slightly gloomy conclusion. It might better categorized as a children’s book for adults.
Who Directed The Little Prince?
Anne Tournié and Chris Mouron collaborate in the co-direction of the stage production. It stays true to the plot, language, and structure of the original work, as well as its fabulist elements. And sincere insistence that life’s most valuable experiences can found outside of work, routines, and habits.
What About The Plot?
The book’s numerous readers will be familiar with the plot: A young space traveler meets a World War II aviator after their plane crashes in the Sahara desert. The Little Prince, after traveling to several other planets, also ends up stranded on Earth. The aviator, who serves as our narrator, then tells us the various stories that the Little Prince had told him. These tales are all presented on stage. The Prince also has encounters with a greedy, star-collecting businessman, a shameful drunk, a rule-following lamplighter, a narcissistic selfie-taker, and, on Earth, a devilish snake, a flirtatious fox, and a railway switchman. Saint-idea Exupery’s childhood innocence. And optimism as the truest state supported by each episode, which is narrated by Mouron in English. And occasionally, French with screened supertitles on either side of the stage.
How Are The Production, Cast, And Characters?
Although that opinion is open to question, this production of The Little Prince doesn’t compromise with the quality of the visuals. A lot of it is exquisite, and some of it is sublime. The aerial acrobatics are thrilling, graceful, and seductive, especially a sort of vol de Deux between the Prince (Lionel Zalachas) and The Rose (Laurie Sulty). The same can said of Stéphane Fritsch’s stunning lighting design and Peggy Housset’s fanciful, vibrant costumes. Although Terry Tuck’s music occasionally veers toward the generic, at its most appealing, it blends Laurie Anderson’s avant-garde percussion with Saint-Saens’ irresistible Carnival of the Animals.
Everyone in the large cast gets a chance to shine, whether they are performing different dance styles, gymnastic tumbling, or soaring and twisting high above the stage. The small, wild-haired Zalachas, who plays the title role, is particularly impressive. Even when the production starts to feel excessively long and bloated, Zalachas swings by and yells for our attention once more.
Overall, “The Little Prince” is more radically poetic, experimental, and daringly engaging for both kids and adults. However, The audience will captivated by The Little Prince, but only if they are willing to submit to it.
