Children’s Touring Partnership and Royal & Derngate, Northampton are delighted to announce a new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic, “THE JUNGLE BOOK”. The production will premiere at Royal & Derngate, Northampton from Tuesday 28 November until Sunday 31 December 2017 and will then embark on a UK national tour from Thursday 25 January 2018 beginning at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Originally written in 1894, Kipling’s beloved tale will be reimagined with a brand new score and script, exploring the universal themes of family, belonging and identity.
“THE JUNGLE BOOK” tells of Mowgli the man cub who battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his animal friends, including Bagheera the panther, Balloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learns the law of the jungle.
Cast includes Rachel Dawson as ‘Kaa Grey’, Lloyd Gorman as ‘Shere Khan’, TJ Holmes as ‘Hiran’, Avita Jay as ‘Raksha’, Keziah Joseph as ‘Mowgli’, Dyfrig Morris as ‘Balloo’, Deborah Oyelade as ‘Bagheera’ and Tripti Tripuraneni as ‘Akala’. They are joined by Ruri James and Chipo Kureya in the ensemble.
The award winning creative team bringing Kipling’s timeless story to the stage includes playwright Jessica Swale, director Max Webster and internationally renowned songwriter Joe Stilgoe.
Playwright Jessica Swale will be adapting the story for the stage. Her previous acclaimed play “Nell Gwynn” won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2016.
Max Webster directed Dr Seuss’ “The Lorax” at the Old Vic, which was nominated for Best Entertainment and Family Show at the 2016 Olivier Awards.
Jessica Swale¸ writer, said “I jumped at the chance to adapt “THE JUNGLE BOOK” because it’s such a vivid world- yet, for a writer, there’s so much opportunity to imagine the jungle afresh. Part of the book’s enduring appeal is that the jungle can be anything we choose. It’s a playground, a school, a hideaway, an adventure, so I’ve enjoyed exploring what sort of place this mysterious, delightful, sometimes scary place might be- and what better way to do that than with Max Webster, one of the most inventive and imaginative directors working today.
‘I loved the characters as Kipling wrote them, but wanted to find new voices which resonate now- funny, bright, dynamic voices, with a little more wit, and greater diversity, in terms of place, tone, gender and culture. It’s a funny, heart-filled roller coaster of a journey which, I hope, will transport the audience right round the world and back again”.
*Suitable for ages 6+
THE JUNGLE BOOK 2017/18 TOUR
28 NOVEMBER – 31 DECEMBER 2017
Northampton, Royal & Derngate
25 JANUARY – 3 FEBRUARY 2018
Chichester Festival Theatre
TUESDAY 6 – SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2018
Richmond Theatre
TUESDAY 13 – SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2018
Liverpool Playhouse
TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018
Wycombe Swan
TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2018
Bromley Churchill Theatre
TUESDAY 13 – SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018
Malvern Festival Theatre
TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018
Cambridge Arts Theatre
TUESDAY 27 – SATURDAY 31 MARCH 2018
Newcastle Theatre Royal
TUESDAY 3 – SATURDAY 7 APRIL 2018
Plymouth Theatre Royal
TUESDAY 10 – SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018
Norwich Theatre Royal
TUESDAY 17 – SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018
Nottingham Theatre Royal
WEDNESDAY 25 – SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2018
Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
WEDNESDAY 2 – SUNDAY 6 MAY
Salford, Lowry Theatre
TUESDAY 8 – SATURDAY 12 MAY
Blackpool Grand Theatre
