The Little Prince at London Coliseum
With its minimalist prose concealing profound truths, it’s no wonder that many adaptations of The Little Prince choose to preserve the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Directed and choreographed by Anne Tournié, with co-direction and narration by Chris Mouron, Broadway Entertainment Group’s touring production of the classic tale has arrived at the London Coliseum. Staying faithful to the novella’s fable-like narrative and original French language, the show dazzles visually, though at times, it struggles with balancing spectacle with substance.
Aesthetically, the first half is a triumph, taking over the Coliseum’s stage with a palette reminiscent of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Swirling blues and golden yellows create a celestial dreamscape that mirrors the interplanetary journey the Prince (Dylan Barone) embarks upon. The projections and lighting effects are breathtaking, evoking both the vastness of space and the delicate intimacy of the story. There’s an ethereal quality that translates Saint-Exupéry’s hand-drawn illustrations into something immersive and painterly. The vivid, brushstroke-like depth makes the pink-tinged hues in the second half feel almost faded, as if a once-vibrant canvas has been left to dull.
The aerial acrobatics are impressive, but the choreography truly shines on the ground – particularly in the ballet of the roses, where grace and fluidity replace the more frenetic aerial sequences, allowing the story’s emotional beats to resonate more deeply. At the heart of these sequences is the Rose (Marie Menuge), who is arguably the production’s most inspired creative choice. Through a romantic use of anthropomorphism – portraying her as both imperious and preening, yet subtly vulnerable beneath the vanity – Tournié the complexity of her character. As the Prince’s most significant relationship, her absence proves to be as powerful as her presence as she exits the stage, a lingering reminder of the love and responsibility he only fully understands too late.
Mouron’s narrator is flawless in execution but more of a mixed success in concept. She drifts in and out of the action, guiding the audience through the Little Prince’s encounters with Saint-Exupéry’s words with a strong, gentle warmth. However, the sporadic appearances often feel out of sync with the staging’s rhythm, making it harder to fully immerse in the flow of the production. There are moments of seamless coordination between movement and effects – such as an acrobat moving in perfect sync with a projected transition – but in some instances, the Cirque du Soleil-like setup feels at odds with the novella’s natural simplicity.
Tournié’s The Little Prince is undoubtedly a visual feat, and as a standalone piece of theatre, it impresses. However, as an adaptation of the beloved classic, it occasionally falters, losing touch with the simple heart of its source material.
Christina Yang
Photos: Courtesy of Broadway Entertainment Group
The Little Prince is at London Coliseum from 12th until 16th March 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch the trailer for The Little Prince at London Coliseum here:
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