The fascinating story of 'The Little Prince', a novella written by French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 1982 is all set to be played at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC).
Based on an emotional story about a boy who visits Earth from a distant planet, The Little Prince is all about friendship, love and loss. A magical adaptation of the book filled with music, acrobatics, animated movements, dance and cutting-edge technology to recount interplanetary adventures.
In an interview with THE WEEK, the director and co-director Anne Tournié and Chris Mouron talk about the show to be played at The Grand Theatre from September 25 to 29.
Excerpts from the interview
Q: In what can be termed as theatre, a dancical, circus, cabaret or philosophical musing, how would you describe the performance that will be staged here in Mumbai?
We both work in very different disciplines. Choreography, contemporary dance,
ground and aerial acrobatics are for Anne, while writing, music, singing and theatre are for Chris. We complement each other very well. We wanted to blend all these disciplines in this show, and that's what makes it so special. We've named this blend, this new genre: “Les arts croisées”--The crossed arts.
Q: (To Chris) As a Librettist, how much do you borrow from the original story as mentioned in the book and performed on several occasions before and in what manner have you improvised or added to it this time?
As a lover of the book, I wanted to respect it as much as possible. I wanted to keep the whole story and the order in which Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote it. The challenge was to extract the sentences that seemed most precious to me.
Without changing the author's words, the challenge was to set them to the music of the show, a bit like a slam, and sometimes turn them into songs. The only liberty Anne and I allowed ourselves was to modernise a few scenes: Our Vainman expresses his narcissism by constantly taking selfies. We extended the lamplighter scene by creating creatures of light to accompany the Little Prince's journey to planet Earth.
A still from 'The Little Prince' show | Philippe Hanula and Victoria Vucheva
Q: What are your expectations this time, from Mumbai, as this is the very first time you're here?
It's the first time we've come to play 'The Little Prince' in Mumbai, but it's not the first time we've come. In 2016, we worked in Dubai on a Bollywood stunt show with 32 artists that we cast in Mumbai, New Delhi and Jaipur. It was an extraordinary artistic and human experience. We can't wait-- like two children to present 'The Little Prince' in this country we love so much.
Q: Any newer aspects you have added to the performance this time, keeping in mind the cultural space of NMACC and the Indian audience?
We have performed this show in many countries with very different cultures and sensibilities. Since the show's premiere in Marseille, France, a miracle has occurred. Audiences of all kinds react at the same moment and in the same way. The worldwide success of the book is no stranger to this. The story of 'The Little Prince' and the messages it conveys are universal. It speaks to every human being, whatever their culture or origin.
Q: Tell us how different your creative process has been, for performing here in Mumbai vis-a-vis the way you work abroad.
We will present the show as it has existed since its creation.
Q: The prince, who is a child in the book, is portrayed as a muscular man on stage. What is your personal opinion about it?
Our Little Prince may not be a child, but he's no “muscular man” either. For the role of the Little Prince, we looked for a boy who looked very young, but who had above all kept his childlike soul, and we made him a teenager. Dylan Barone, our Little Prince, is perfect for the role.
Q: Will it help if the audience can read the book before watching the show?
The show has been designed for spectators who are not familiar with the work; knowing it and reading the book will always be a plus. We know that in India, the book is not very well known, so we know that we're going to have an audience the majority of whom have not read the book. We had the same experience in Sydney at the Opera House. And our greatest reward was to know that many people, after seeing the show, wanted to read the book.
Q: This is the first time The Little Prince is coming to India. What were the aspects that impressed you before you agreed to perform here at the NMACC?
We're looking forward to this experience with great anticipation and hope. The venue is absolutely magnificent and will be the perfect setting for the Little Prince's planet.
