This musical theatre adaptation of The Little Prince is a co-production between Yuanhua Theatre and France’s Théâtre National Populaire. Directed by French theatre artist Jean Bellorini, the production blends theatre, live music, and poetry in a contemporary interpretation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic story. It will be presented as part of the 2026 Shanghai Jing’an Theatre Festival.

About the Performance

This production of The Little Prince is a collaboration between Yuanhua Theatre and the Théâtre National Populaire of France. It marks another partnership following their earlier collaboration on the Chinese version of Les Misérables. The production is directed by Jean Bellorini, a French theatre director known for his contemporary interpretations of literary classics.

The team chose The Little Prince not only because it is one of the most widely known works of French literature, but also because of the connection between its author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and Lyon, where the Théâtre National Populaire is based. The story also holds a special place among Chinese readers.

Music and Poetry

One of the key features of this production is its form as a “musical theatre” work. Three musicians with different artistic styles—folk singer-songwriter Zhong Lifeng, independent musician Xiao Liu, and singer-songwriter Fan Qing—joined the creative team. During rehearsals, the music was developed alongside the script through collective improvisation, with ideas from the performers incorporated directly into the performance.

The production also introduces poetry as an additional dimension. Selected Chinese and French poems that resonate with the spirit of The Little Prince are included in the performance. This approach introduces a new character on stage: a wandering poet, played by Xue Fei.

Cast

The title role of the Little Prince is performed by 13-year-old Li Yichen. French actor Marc Plas, a longtime collaborator of director Jean Bellorini, plays the pilot. The production also features a five-year-old performer appearing as a “Little Little Prince.”

The cast includes performers from a variety of backgrounds, including musicians, broadcasters, and instrumentalists, rather than only professional theatre actors. According to actor Xue Fei, the core idea of the production centers on sincerity, with performers expressing genuine emotion and preserving the sense of childhood innocence at the heart of the story.

Why Go

This production brings together a Chinese and French creative team to reinterpret The Little Prince through theatre, music, and poetry. Featuring performers from different generations and cultural backgrounds, the production explores themes of connection, inheritance, and dialogue across cultures.

The show is presented as part of the 2026 Shanghai Jing’an Theatre Festival.