Actor Hugh Grant narrates Little Prince at Abu Dhabi festival

Abu Dhabi - Grant gave life to Nick Lloyd Webber and James D Reid's debut musical of The Little Prince for the first time in an Arab country.

The Little Prince created history again. One of the world's most cherished books got its debut performance in the Arab world when it was performed at the Abu Dhabi Festival stage on Thursday night.
Narrating the fourth most translated books in the world, famous British actor Hugh Grant, gave life to Nick Lloyd Webber and James D Reid's debut musical of The Little Prince for the first time in an Arab country.
Celebrating France as this year's Festival 'Country of Honour', the orchestral performance of the French literary classic by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry tells the story of a pilot whose plane crashed in the middle of the desert where he encounters a young prince from a distant asteroid, who tells him a story of life among the stars.
Brought to spectacular life by the 40-strong, award-winning Heritage Orchestra, together with an outstanding company of 13 principal singers and chorus, and conducted by the acclaimed music director Simon Lee, the magical performance delighted both young and old with its fantastical tale and wonderful array of magical characters.
As part of Abu Dhabi Festival's 'Festival In Focus' initiative, which gives school and university students to the Emirates Palace Auditorium to attend open rehearsals, Webber and Reid invited students to know the behind the scenes of The Little Prince.
Running until April 30, the festival also features Carlos Acosta and Friends (April 25-26), Joey Alexander Trio (April 27) and Alfredo Rodríguez Trio (April 28) at New York University Abu Dhabi Arts Centre.
The Abu Dhabi Festival is the leading celebration of arts and culture, which was launched in 2004, it continues to attract the highest calibre of artists to the UAE capital every year.
The festival, which has secured its place as the Arabian Gulf's largest cultural event, is being organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.
Details on tickets, schedules, venues and performances are available at abudhabifestival.ae.
haseeb@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi