With stunning visuals and creative storytelling, The Little Prince at the London Coliseum brings the classic tale to life in a playful and imaginative way.
I entered the London Coliseum wondering how this grand, historic venue—heavy with atmosphere, its ornate balconies and deep red curtains steeped in the weight of operatic grandeur—would translate into the right setting for The Little Prince. After all, this is one of the most delicate, simple, and deeply imaginative stories ever written. Could a space so vast contain something so intimate?
Of course, The Little Prince is a story that transcends its simplicity. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novella is a philosophical tale wrapped in a child’s adventure, a story about love, loss, and seeing the world with an open heart. Bringing such an introspective and poetic work to the stage without losing its magic is no small challenge, but this production attempts it with every trick in the book—movement, dance, acrobatics, and a striking visual design that fully immerses the audience.
At the centre of this adaptation is Chris Mouron, the narrator, who carries us through the story by delivering many of its most famous lines with a storytelling style that feels both nostalgic and childlike. Her voice acts as a thread, keeping the atmosphere intact while the characters—who do not speak—bring the narrative to life through dance, movement, and expression. In this way, the production cleverly turns one of the book’s most famous quotes, “What is essential is invisible to the eye,” on its head—here, everything is made visible in a way that feels dreamlike and surreal.
The stage is covered in breathtaking video projections that extend from the floor to the backdrop, surrounding both the audience and performers in shifting, ephemeral landscapes. These moving worlds reminded me of the works of great surrealist painters, where reality bends and transforms before your eyes. On this canvas, the Little Prince’s journey unfolds, planet by planet, encounter by encounter.
The opening scene, where the Aviator meets the Little Prince, is absolute perfection. The Little Prince makes his entrance balancing on a small sphere—a simple yet poetic way to suggest his tiny home planet. From there, he takes flight, quite literally, soaring between worlds using aerial straps.
Each character he meets is brought to life through a distinct performance style. The King balances on a human chair, commanding attention with grand gestures. The Mad Hatter-like character, reminiscent of Lewis Carroll but with a hip-hop twist, brings an unexpected energy. The Drunkard, the Businessman, and the Street Lamplighter each introduce a new visual and rhythmic element. The Lamplighter’s scene was, for me, the most mesmerizing moment of the show—the checkered floor, the glowing streetlights, and an acrobat swinging from a floating lamp post all combined into something truly magical.
As the journey continues, the Snake slithers onto the stage, the Fox is tamed, and the Aviator and the Prince find themselves at the well. The costumes play a huge role in maintaining the sense of childlike imagination—bright colours, expressive fabrics, and carefully crafted makeup turn the performers into living storybook illustrations.
Not everything was seamless. The choreography, at times, felt like it lacked sharpness—perhaps a result of blending dancers with acrobats, where the differences in skill sets became apparent. And while the subtitles helped keep the French narration accessible, having to look up constantly was distracting from the beauty unfolding on stage.
Still, these are small criticisms of what was, overall, a visually stunning and heartfelt production. The Little Prince at the London Coliseum doesn’t just retell the story—it creates a world that feels both theatrical and intimate, dreamlike yet tangible. For those willing to surrender to its magic, it’s a journey well worth taking.