Monster Theatre brings The Little Prince to CCC

by Stephen Dafoe

Monster Theatre’s production of The Little Prince will take place at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre Jan. 24 at 2 p.m.

The children’s performance is Monster’s original adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1943 novella, The Little Prince. The book is the story of a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a prince who has fallen to Earth from an asteroid. The book was published in more than 250 languages and adapted for the stage as live theatre and ballet productions.

Monster Theatre, who specialize in repackaging history and mythology for today’s audiences, will present de Saint-Exupéry’s story with puppets, masks, original music and Monster’s brand of theatrical magic.

Tara Travis, an actor, writer, and puppeteer said the audience can expect an original, inventive and playful adaptation with puppets, songs, and colourful, interactive projections. “It’s cheeky and funny, with a true heart,” Travis said.

It is a performing philosophy that is at the core of what Monster Theatre brings to the stage. “Monster Theatre creates original plays that challenge preconceptions, excite imaginations and embody the way of the Monster: strange, twisted and bizarre on the outside, but always with a noble heart,” Travis said. “Our unique brand of theatre applies the philosophy and techniques of improvisation during both the creation process and in performance. The results are fast-paced, physical, loose, cerebral and often, but not always, comedic.”

In the upcoming run of The Little Prince, the titular role will be played by Nancy Kenny. Travis will play all the other parts, a situation that is business as usual.

“Part of our signature style is our ability to shape shift and play multiple roles,” she said. “As a performer, I love the challenge of finding a completely different physicality and voice and set of mannerisms for each character. We have several different kinds of puppets in the show, so I get to animate them all differently.”
The actor and puppeteer said she enjoys the experience and hopes the audience in Morinville will as well.

Tickets for the Jan. 24 performance are $10 and available at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre, Servus Credit Union in Morinville. Tickets are also available at tixonthesquare.ca or by calling 780-939-7888.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email