tournée pancandienne du spectacle “Le Petit Prince” présente à l’ÉPFM
Quebec’s Solaris Productions at Manitouwadge school
by Karina Hunter
Karin Lemieux Martin in the role of the Rose is cared for by 'Le Petit Prince' Anthony Pageau.
Elementary school classes from
École Publique l’Escalade in Wawa, Val des Bois in Marathon and Our Lady of Lourdes Immersion in Manitouwadge gathered in Manitouwadge with those from host school École Publique Franco-Manitou Tuesday to enjoy a theatrical performance by Solaris Productions. The school’s gymnasium was transformed into a scene seemingly straight out of a Broadway production as Solaris Actors Karin Lemieux Martin, Martin Perron and Anthony Pageau, gave an incredibly captivating performance of Solaris’ interpretation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s ‘Le Petit Prince’. The front row of young spectators were so close they could have reached out to touch the actors at times and a half dozen, so entranced by the show left the bench they had been seated on to lay on their stomachs heads propped on arms for a more intimate view.
Martin Perron as 'The Geographer' shows 'Le Petit Prince' Anthony Pageau the difference between exploeres and geographers.
Le Petit Prince a book by
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is the story of a miraculous young boy who leaves the tiny planet he lives on and the demanding whims of a flower to travel to other planets meeting adults who imbue our faults; a king corrupt with power, a vain man, a businessman obsessed with owning the stars, all this put into terms which children can understand teaching in the end that it is the simplest things in life and those with whom we are close that are essential in life. Principal of École Publique Franco-Manitou, Francine DeMars knew this was an opportunity not to be missed when she received a package from Solaris in regards to the Northwestern Ontario tour last year “I’ve always enjoyed the story and feel it is an interesting look into our own humanity”. The school had received in advance, a package from Solaris including texts, teaching tools and other materials related to the story of The Little Prince and DeMars had encouraged her teaching staff to incorporate these into their lessons in the days prior to the performance.
Children leave their bench for a closer look of the performance.
The theatre company left Manitouwadge traveling towards Cochrane, Ontario were they had 3 more shows to perform before calling this tour a wrap; youngest member of the company, 16 year old Anthony Pageau, a high school student at École Saint-Pierre et des Sentiers in
Charlesbourg, Québec was counting down the shows with anticipation having enjoyed the experience but eager to return home.
Anthony Pageau as 'Le Petit Prince' listens as an incessantly demanding king played by Martin Perron explains why everyone should submit to his orders.
a moving moment draws a hush across the young crowd as Martin Perron 'The Pilot' watches over a sleeping 'Petit Prince' Anthony Pageau.
Martin Perron as the Pilot explains to Le Petit Prince, Anthony Pageau. In the background his plane which has crashed, stranding him in the Sahara Desert.
Submitted to the Chronicle Journal, and the Marathon Mercury 10.20.09
To see all the photos from this amazing show, visit http://www.karinahunter.com/?p=6500
