Review by Rosie Holmes
⭐️⭐️⭐️
After sold-out performances across Paris, Sydney, Dubai, and Broadway, The Little Prince has arrived for its UK premiere at the London Coliseum. The beloved story has been translated over 505 times, second only to the bible. This staging of the classic children's story is told through a unique blend of movement, dance and acrobatics. While the show presents moments of brilliance, the execution left me wondering who exactly its audience is supposed to be.
The tale of The Little Prince follows a young boy who travels across seven planets, including Earth, gaining wisdom from his encounters along the way. The show begins with the narrator, a pilot who has crash-landed in the desert, and his meeting with the Little Prince. He recounts his many adventures, makes observations about life, and addresses the themes of loneliness and friendship - though these themes are perhaps stronger in the book than in this live retelling.
However, the show doesn’t seem to strike a balance between its potential as a children's tale and an offering for adults. It lacked much of the playfulness and humour I would expect from a show designed for younger audiences. Despite the fact it's based on a children's book, the overall tone felt serious and abstract at times, meaning much of the narrative was lost on a younger audience. One curious decision was the positioning of the subtitles. As the show was narrated in French, the subtitles were placed high at the top of the stage. With the vastness of the Coliseum, this created an awkward dynamic for viewers, forcing them to choose between watching the movement or reading the captions, it also caused a bit of neck ache!
Despite these challenges, the production did have its moments of true brilliance. The lamplighter routine, for example, was an absolute highlight, with light, dance, and acrobatics filling the stage in a spectacular and visually striking way. This sequence was a dazzling finale to the first act and was one of the standout moments in the show. Dylan Barone as the Little Prince delivered a convincing portrayal of a child, full of awe and wonder. Additionally, Marie Mengue's performance as the Rose was rather beautiful, with the dancing Rose scene particularly enhanced by the wonderful costume design by Peggy Housset. When paired together, Mengue and Barone worked wonderfully, notably in an aerial scene which evoked childlike joy from the audience, a feeling I wish was more present in the rest of the production.
Unusually, there was no set at all and instead backdrop and sense of place was provided by video design from Marie Jumelin. While video can be a powerful tool, it didn't quite succeed in creating the environments of The Little Prince. The shifting images felt jarring at times, instead of transporting the audience to a fantastical world, it remained grounded in a more technological realm, which was a missed opportunity. With such a rich source material, a more tangible and imaginative set design could have enhanced the story's dreamlike quality.
The Little Prince at the London Coliseum boasts some incredible performances, acrobatic routines, and visually striking moments, however, the overall execution left me feeling a little detached. Its appeal may be limited, as it struggles to find the right tone for both children and adults. Some creative choices, just didn't land, making it that bit harder to completely immerse yourself in this magical world. That being said, for those who appreciate movement-based theatre, there is still much to entertain.
The Little Prince plays at London Coliseum until 16th March 2025.
Tickets from: https://londoncoliseum.org/whats-on/the-little-prince/
Photos by Broadway Entertainment Group