By Rachel Matthews – Contributor

The Bishop’s University Drama Department is gearing up for their latest production: Le Petit Prince, written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and directed and adapted by Manolis Antoniou, which will begin its run on the stage of Centennial Theatre on Mar. 13 and finish with a matinee performance on Mar. 16. Re-imagining the classic story, this production will take the audience on a dynamic and bilingual journey that brings together the titular novel Le Petit Prince/The Little Prince with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s biography Terre des Hommes/Wind, Sand and Stars, as well as the aesthetic and music of David Bowie. 

When asked about his vision for the production, Antoniou explained that, for him, “the essence of Le Petit Princelies in its illustration of the interconnectedness of the world and our place in something greater; and this is the guiding force of our production.” Indeed, bringing together the “cosmic realms” of Exupéry with the “visionary aesthetics” of Bowie was of particular importance to the director. In his words, the play is interested in “crafting a scenic world that combines the celestial and the fantastic, proposing a dynamic bilingual theatrical experience that will resonate deeply with the audience, transcending linguistic boundaries to explore the universal truths contained in these stories.” 

Storytelling and collective narration remain at the heart of this production, both for Antoniou and his actors. Cast member Tomas Peck shared that “there is always something nice about a story.” He continues, “We tell a story about the pilot, and his struggle to survive, and how he is inspired to change and eventually write The Little Prince.” 

Currently, the cast and crew are working to bring together the show’s technical elements and are very excited for their opening night. When asked about what she enjoys most about performance, cast member Catherine Fullerton said she loved “how close you become with the people you act with.” She says, “That closeness can be seen on stage, welcoming a wider community of people in and is truly something so special to witness and be a part of.” 

Le Petit Prince is stage managed by Elyse Quesnel and will feature Adam Provencher’s costume design and scenography, Emily Soussana and Andrew Scriver’s lighting and projection design, Malcom Armstrong’s sound design, and Brandyce Bilodeau’s props design.