On Wednesday evening, the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) will host the Indian premiere of ‘The Little Prince’, a Broadway production based on French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1943 novel of the same name. Before that Mumbai runs from September 25-29 at the Grand Theatre, the creative forces behind it – Anne Tournier (choreography, direction), Chris Mouron (libretto adaptation and accompanying direction) and Terry Truck (original music) – talk about the process of making a show and the magic of it. a timeless legend.
What impression did The Little Prince leave on you when you first read it?
Anne Tournié: My mother read it to me before I could read. Later it became my bedside book, my guide to life, and the emotions I felt when I first read it never stayed with me.
Chris Mouron: My first impression was sound. When I was 12, the teacher played a vinyl record with the voice of the wonderful actor Gérard Philippe in the role of the Aviator and Gérard Poujouly The Little Prince. I was in tears after 5 minutes. That feeling, that shock, is still with me as I read this book.
Terry Truck: I was 18 and a music student when I first read this book. I was drawn to the collection of worlds it showed me and I found the story interesting and deep.
The Little Prince’, is a Broadway production based on French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1943 novel of the same name. (Photo credit: Philippe Hanula and Victoria Vucheva)
What did you do in the early days before you started directing and rehearsing?
Anne and Chris: It was not given to us. It was our initiative – a deep artistic desire – to create it. We started work and found people who are interested in producing this program.
Terry: I was happy when they told me that they wanted to work with me in Nkosana Enkane. Anne brings with her extensive experience of large scale visual media dance shows, and Chris has an amazing understanding of the subtleties of words.
What was the idea of bringing aerial choreography and circus elements to the production?
Anne and Chris: Adapting this book for the stage is a challenge. We wanted to honor the imagination and poetry of this work of art as much as we could. We adapted the book in a creative way with flying and dancing characters and the presence of a narrator to provide the author’s words. Because Saint-Exupéry showed his book, we also try to include his image. Many of his paintings are now iconic
Terry: A story about flying to different worlds – a metaphorical spiritual journey – seems to cry out for aerial exploration and where better to explore those worlds than acrobatic dance. I’m not sure circus is the right description of our job.
What part of the production was the most challenging for you?
Anne and Chris: We wanted to work with creators we love and who love books, music, video, costumes and makeup. The biggest challenge was finding the right people on stage and behind the scenes.
Terry: From the first time we sat together around my piano, there was a natural and easy flow to the work. Of course, finding the best people to work with, both on and off stage, is always a challenge, but the creation of the show flows at its own pace, and we developed it over 3 years.
How important is music in this game?
Anne and Chris: Terry has worked with Chris for decades and together they have developed a great relationship.
Terry: For me, the music is the invisible heart of the piece. It pulls the story forward into the next world. In fact, we started the work with music, and I tried to feel Anne’s love for the book and its special place in her life. Then we discussed how he wanted to express this in the dance, and I started composing music for him and Chris while they sat next to me.
Now that you’ve explored the story of the Broadway show, what kind of feelings do you have about the story?
Anne and Chris: When we created it, we didn’t think it would be so successful, we didn’t expect so many positive responses from the audience or so much recognition of our work from Saint-Exupéry’s heirs (all his descendants came to see the Broadway show). Little did we know that the audience, regardless of where they were in the world and regardless of their culture, would react in the same way. We feel like spoiled children and are very excited to launch this program in Mumbai.
Terry: I like to travel and see the show in many different cities. I am proud to see how it affects so many people around the world.