London Coliseum
March 13, 2025
There have been many attempts to bring The Little Prince to life on both stage and screen. Each takes its own way, although none have succeeded completely in capturing the philosophical aspect while also presenting a coherent storyline. This latest production from the Broadway Entertainment Group, directed and choreographed by Anne Tournié, also fails in this respect. However, it is a glorious journey through the improbable, which succeeds in taking the audience on a magical fantasy journey across the stars.
The cast are perfectly suited to their roles, and completely believable. The multi-skilled Dylan Barone is super as The Little Prince. He combines dance and aerial gymnastics with a lightness of touch that would grace many of principal classical roles. His acting abilities are also top notch, and you feel fully his curiosity, bemusement, and growing home-sickness for his planet and his rose flower.
Photo courtesy Broadway Entertainment Group
The other cast members are first-rate too. They dance technically excellently, and with a pleasing sense of engagement, each bringing an individual interpretation of their character to their dancing. Several also have gymnastic skills, which Tournié showcases to perfection in her choreography.
That choreography is original, alert, and always interesting. Tournié makes full use of the stage space on the ground and in the air, and achieves a fluid combination of classical and contemporary styles, which complement each other.
The video effects by Marie Jumelin are a delight and add massively to the production, as does Stéphane Fritsch’s perfectly matched lighting.
Photo courtesy Broadway Entertainment Group
With such a challenging story, it is vital it can be followed, so that the audience can accompany the Little Prince on his interplanetary journey of self-discovery. A quibble then, that the whole story was narrated in French. An English translation was displayed, but on a screen too high for many children, and likely some adults, to see, let alone read. That was a great pity. Some parents were able to translate for their youngsters but, even when whispered, that does distract from what is happening on stage.
Overall, this The Little Prince is a delightful production, however. Full of wonderful effects, it’s well worth seeing.