As part of the 75th anniversary of The Little Prince, the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Arts and Design’s (FoAD) Drama Department recently hosted a three-day stage production based on the classic book at the Courtyard Theatre.

The play is an adaptation of French aristocrat Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic French fable, The Little Prince which was first published in 1943.

With the support of the Alliance Française de Durban, the play was staged and recreated by the Market Theatre Foundation’s brand-new theatre company, Kwasha!, and directed by Clara Vaughan and Mwenya Kabwe.

The unique, multiple language South African inspired production of the French masterpiece brought to life the philosophical tale about a Little Prince who, through an initiatory journey around the galaxy, discovers adulthood and several concepts such as Love, Friendship, Happiness and Loneliness.

Drama Studies Head of Department, Prof Deborah Lutge said that she was impressed with the staging of the play.

“The work was conceptually staged in a dramatically interesting and magically minimalistic manner, with a strong ensemble of performers,” she said.

Prof Lutge thanked the Alliance Française de Durban for their continued interaction with the Drama and Production Studies Department as well as the Market Theatre Laboratory, Kwasha! Theatre Company and FoAD’s, Dr René Smith for setting up the international exchange.

The Market Theatre Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Ismail Mahomed expressed his appreciation to the Faculty of Arts and Design for hosting the event.

“We are indeed delighted that The Little Prince could be staged in Durban; our appreciation to the team in the faculty and to the Alliance Francaise for supporting the tour to Durban,” he said.

Prior to the opening of the play there was a workshop facilitated by members of the Kwasha! Theatre Company held at the Actor’s Studio at the Ritson Campus. The workshop focused on introducing the participants to some introductory circus skills, with a particular focus on tumbling, counter-balances and lifts.

Pictured: The cast of ‘The Little Prince’.

Nasiphi Gigaba