This year L’Association des Francophones des Kootenays Ouest (AFKO) will celebrate its 25th anniversary and say thank you to the public for their support with a theatrical adaptation of Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince. The play will be subtitled in English to show their appreciation for the support of the non-Francophone community.
“The people in the Kootenays they’re so amazing they’re interested and there’s a lot of Francophiles,” said the association’s Lyne Chartier. “That’s why we want to do the subtitles, it’s like a thank you to everybody outside the French community.”
The play also holds special significance according to the plays director, Daniel Gaudet.
“Somehow it just made sense,” he said. “All people know about it, French, English, Spanish… there’s something magical about AFKO and also Le Petit Prince.”
The play will have a combination of digital and live musical performances with some special effects involving LED lights. When asked about the special effects Gaudet teased, “I’m not giving away all my secrets come and see.”
The association offers a variety of services including French classes, a library, a travelling library and a potluck every first Thursday of the month just to name a few.
The organization is currently hosting the play’s director, Daniel Gaudet and his family while Gaudet’s hometown Baie-Saint-Paul hosts local band Almanak as part of a sister city exchange between the two towns.
For those unable to catch the play in Nelson on October 22, it will be on tour in Revelstoke on October 8, Kaslo on October 14 and Rossland on October 15. Dinner will be provided by local caterer Nancy Guillemette at the Revelstoke and Nelson performances.
Admission is by donation. Call 250-325-3516 for more information.