The Little Prince at The Cockpit Theatre
French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is best known for his beloved book The Little Prince. To date, it has been published in 600 languages, giving millions the chance to read this universally themed literary gem.
Like Saint-Exupéry’s book, the Cockpit theatre adaptation is aimed at both adults and children alike, with its simplistic prose and imaginative allegory that are wholly captivating. The cast are hidden behind a large rectangular blackboard, with only their legs visible, the famous words, “boa constrictors swallow their prey whole,” inscribed in chalk. As the cast of six emerge, amongst them the pilot protagonist (Matt Tylianakis), the board gradually lights up the quote, a charming and enchanted effect. One of the early highlights of the night’s performance is during his flying scene where the ensemble carry the wings and manually spin the plane’s propeller; it’s a very realistic depiction, full of imagination and originality. As the aviator lands in the desert, accompanying music perfectly complements the moment, a thread that runs through the show, with later scenes echoing cool synth soundscapes.
Thisakya Dias does an excellent job in the title role as the worrisome and ever-curious Prince, her stage presence blending well with Tylianakis’s. Produced by the Liminal Space Company, this faithful adaptation does not shy away from boundless creativity, in the vein of French director Michel Gondry’s surrealist films. Saint-Exupéry’s prose is brought to life with passion and dedication, most ardently perceived in instances such as the flower scene, which Cicely Halkes-Wellstead does so well to captivate through her performance, as she croons a beautiful French chanson; her portrayal as the aged Geographer is also excellent. An ingeniously imagined King is also another wonderful spectacle, in which three of the cast are hidden under the cape, exaggerating all the sovereign’s gestures, a genuine hit with the audience.
The timeless, mythological quality of the story is honoured in this retelling, its small budget used to often charming effect. Crucially, the playful innocence of childhood is well conveyed in the imaginative use of props, digital animation and collective performances. This fringe adaptation is not so little in its creativity, and is filled with an abundance of whimsy that is for all the family, combined with the melancholia and reflective life lessons at the heart of the classic novella.
Selina Begum
Photos: Robert Piwko
The Little Prince is at The Cockpit Theatre from 9th until 12th April 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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