Our childhoods were filled with stories, ones of princesses in castles, or of poisoned apples, or of little boys who refused to grow up. Those stories, much like the story of The Little Prince, transcend generations, cultures, and languages. It is therefore not surprising that this story is now travelling the world in an spectacular tour. This week, it is London which is lucky enough to watch this story unfold in a most unconventional manner. This is not a musical. It is not a play, or a dance show. It is so much more than that. From aerial acrobats to dancers to the narrator, this show offers a lot.
The stage features a large projection screen that covers the floor and the back of the stage. The video projected acts as the show’s set, where we see the Little Prince travelling from planet to planet. As majestic as the projection was, it soon became apparent that it was doing the majority of the story-telling. This was made all the more apparent taking into account the vast stage on which it was set, as the projection sometimes overshadowed the work of the performers.
Dylan Barone as the Little Prince delivered a heartfelt performance, showcasing the nuances of Anne Tournié’s playful and naïve choreography perfectly. Barone’s character is also one of the few subjected to every artistic talent of the show, ranging from aerial acrobatics to floor work.
The original music by Terry Truck was nothing short of brilliant. The music alone could tell the story, with each character having its own very specific tune. Chris Mouron, the narrator and responsible for the Libretto Adaptation, adapted her voice and tone so purposefully to fit the music that each spoken word sounded so musical.
The show is entirely in French, with English subtitles above the stage being projected in real time. This comes with its issues, especially for those completely unfamiliar with the story. Having to look up at the subtitles whilst being dazzled by the artistic vision is no easy feat, not to mention that the speech was very limited. As a native French speaker and someone who knows the story pretty well, I did not encounter any issues, but hearing some other fellow audience members, I quickly became aware of the difficulties they had encountered.
Nonetheless, it was a beautiful show of a timeless story which, in my opinion, is one which needs to be read internationally. However, if the storylines are very new to you, it may be worth doing a little pre-show research to feel fully immersed in the experience.
The Little Prince plays at London Coliseum until 16th March.
★★★★☆ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography courtesy of Broadway Entertainment Group
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