Once upon a time, 12-year-old me read The Little Prince and loved it so much that it was the first book she ever felt compelled to re-read. Then she did it again, and again, and again. Now, I’m at the start of my 20s, trying my best to navigate the often demoralizing grown-up world. Truth be told, I was a bit hesitant to book this show with it being directed towards children but, of course, this ended up being exactly what I needed.
Toby Thompson’s adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novel ambitiously undertakes the dual role one man show with an unwavering faith in the audience’s suspension of disbelief. One long pour of sand from a cup and a forming step ladder were all the props needed to depict the Pilot’s plane crash in the Sahara Desert, highlighting the magical simplicity of an excited imagination.
Such a feat wouldn’t have been accomplished without Thompson’s whimsical ability to present different characters, scenes, and objects. Channelling the awkward confidence of a child telling tall tales, Thompson delights us with an effortlessly seamless performance; he performs every role so gracefully that I couldn’t fathom it was all him.
The lighting, sounds, and screen projections are spot on and wonderful, never letting go of the dreamy atmosphere. When Thompson introduces the Little Prince and calls us – the audience – “imaginary”, he casually subverts the magic circle to distort our realities. It actually emulated the dissociative quality of dreams.
His spin on the ending especially drives it home. Before the Prince and the Pilot part ways, we watch the Prince preparing to share his famous secret. What happens next conjures the feeling of waking up from a dream and clinging to the hope that the magic stays with you.
When Toby stayed back to interact with the audience after the show, I saw the easiest opportunity to connect with the very performer, writer, and producer of this most perfect show. I wanted to tell him sincerely how this adaptation meant “two hundred billion, trillion stars” to me. But all I had the nerve to say was, “That was really amazing, thank you.” Needless to say, I may be growing old, but this story will never grow old to me.
The Little Prince is running until 25 August at Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Camilla Adams, provided to The Student as press material