The Prince of friendships

Much loved children’s story The Little Prince comes to Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s Drama Theatre this month, sparking young imaginations with its timeless message about the importance of friendship.
The Little Prince is an adventure story that celebrates the richness of human feeling and imagination.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s acclaimed production is adapted by Simon Clarke from the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and presented as part of the 2016 Love Central Geelong Family Magic program.
One of the most widely read books in history, The Little Prince has sold 140 million copies worldwide and been printed in more than 250 languages and dialects and also in Braille.
Saint-Exupéry’s exquisite tale tells the story of a curious prince who leaves his tiny home planet and journeys across the universe, discovering that adults have very strange ideas about the things that really matter.
Spare Parts associate director and director of the production Michael Barlow describes The Little Prince as an imaginative and vivid work, continually reminding us of the magic of the imagination.
“The work speaks strongly about what really matters in life. It isn’t expensive or flashy things that have the greatest value, it’s the people we form relationships with,” he said.
“Jiri Zmitko’s design cleverly reveals the tiny world of the Prince, the Sahara desert and the stars of the night sky.
“His hand carved puppets of the Fox, the Snake, the Little Prince and the Rose, are characters sure to live on in the audience’s imagination.
“Lee Buddle’s music creates a mood of mystery and is so beautifully performed by world-renowned pianist Ross Bolleter while Karen Cook’s lighting design transports us from the world we know to the magical realm of the Prince.
“Performers Jacob Lehrer and Jessica Lewis have endeared themselves to audiences with great charm and humour.”
At 50 minutes and suitable for ages four and above, The Little Prince is a special experience for families to share.
The production comes to GPAC for two performances only, on 18 June at noon and 2.30pm.
Tickets for The Little Prince are $20 each or $18 for groups of four or more. Book online at gpac.org.au or phone 5225 1200.