Antoine and the Paper Aeroplane

Blak Wulff Productions’ mime and music evocation of Antoine de Saint Exupery’s three-day desert sojourn after his 1935 plane crash – which prompted his writing The Little Prince – is a truly magical theatre experience.

Near to death, Antoine hallucinates visions of being befriended by a machine-like child - his aero-engine come alive – which playfully sustains his spirit, while the appearances of a curious snake and frolicsome fox mark the nights until a Bedouin finally rescues him.

Very inventive use of props is central – a large round wooden frame, white umbrella and metal wheels change from crashed plane into a globe, blazing sun and machine-child of four cog-wheels and yellow scarf, captivatingly handled by black-clad puppeteer Rachel Warr.

Puzzling modes of escape, Antoine discovers friendship and fun with his young companion as they piece together maps to create a globe for flight and future adventures. Yet no word is spoken – theirs is a shared intimacy of silent movement and quiet gesture, beautifully created and sustained.

Kristina Sorensen superbly captures Antoine’s moods with nuance and zest, while talented composer-player Bui Dam weaves a rich musical tapestry with guitar, maraca and mini-drums.