REVIEW
The Little Prince
The Cockpit (studio)
Angharad Ormond (director)
12 April 2025 (released)
4 d
Adapted by Paul Graves and Angharad Ormond, and directed by Ormond herself, Liminal Space Theatre brings Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's timeless classic, The Little Prince, to the stage of The Cockpit.
The brilliant cast captivated the audience with enigmatic charm, deftly navigating complex themes that resonated deeply – even with my pre-school-aged children. Any intricacies of the narrative faded into the background as they became completely absorbed in the story and the vibrant characters, illustrating the powerful connection between performer and viewer.
Set within an intimate, round performance space, every seat offers an unobstructed view. Rather than a limitation, the theatre's size enhanced the experience, as the cast employed a blend of mime, dance, and puppetry to breathe life into every corner of the room. A particular highlight was a stunning solo performance by a beautiful rose, the beloved flower of the Little Prince, delivered in a chanteuse style.
Throughout the play, live drawings on a chalkboard echoed the Pilot's notes, identifying locations within the story. Projected animations and clever lighting effects further brought the narrative to life, transforming a flutter of butterflies into radiant blue stars and depicting distant planets imaginatively.
Accompanying me were my four-year-old twins, one of whom has autism. Initially, I held reservations about his ability to sit still, especially given his previous record of only 35 minutes at the cinema! To my surprise, he giggled, clapped, and beamed with delight at each unfolding scene throughout the full 70-minute performance. For parents, the "chilled performance" setup of this matinee allowed us to relax and fully engage with the experience. In moments, I found myself transported back to childhood, even though I had never read the book. The show's rapid pacing and episodic structure were perfectly tailored to capture and sustain young attention spans.
On the way home, both children clutched their Little Prince flyers, animatedly recounting their favourite moments from the show.
Reflecting on the experience, child one remarked, "It was so good that I felt like my head was really high up, my head was so tall it went up in the sky." My other child said, "When the guy landed, I felt like I was falling down in an aeroplane with the door open! I landed!"
In a world that often requires us to juggle numerous obligations, The Little Prince is a perfect holiday experience for families, sparking imagination and joy—an enchanting reminder of the beauty of storytelling.
The brilliant cast captivated the audience with enigmatic charm, deftly navigating complex themes that resonated deeply – even with my pre-school-aged children. Any intricacies of the narrative faded into the background as they became completely absorbed in the story and the vibrant characters, illustrating the powerful connection between performer and viewer.
Set within an intimate, round performance space, every seat offers an unobstructed view. Rather than a limitation, the theatre's size enhanced the experience, as the cast employed a blend of mime, dance, and puppetry to breathe life into every corner of the room. A particular highlight was a stunning solo performance by a beautiful rose, the beloved flower of the Little Prince, delivered in a chanteuse style.
Throughout the play, live drawings on a chalkboard echoed the Pilot's notes, identifying locations within the story. Projected animations and clever lighting effects further brought the narrative to life, transforming a flutter of butterflies into radiant blue stars and depicting distant planets imaginatively.
Accompanying me were my four-year-old twins, one of whom has autism. Initially, I held reservations about his ability to sit still, especially given his previous record of only 35 minutes at the cinema! To my surprise, he giggled, clapped, and beamed with delight at each unfolding scene throughout the full 70-minute performance. For parents, the "chilled performance" setup of this matinee allowed us to relax and fully engage with the experience. In moments, I found myself transported back to childhood, even though I had never read the book. The show's rapid pacing and episodic structure were perfectly tailored to capture and sustain young attention spans.
On the way home, both children clutched their Little Prince flyers, animatedly recounting their favourite moments from the show.
Reflecting on the experience, child one remarked, "It was so good that I felt like my head was really high up, my head was so tall it went up in the sky." My other child said, "When the guy landed, I felt like I was falling down in an aeroplane with the door open! I landed!"
In a world that often requires us to juggle numerous obligations, The Little Prince is a perfect holiday experience for families, sparking imagination and joy—an enchanting reminder of the beauty of storytelling.
