Adapted by Andrew Pollard from the book by Rudyard Kipling; music by Ziad Jabero
Bolton Octagon production
Bolton Octagon
November 22, 2024-January 2, 2025; approx 2 hrs
Not being a huge Kipling fan, I’m probably not best placed to guess how the man himself would have viewed the cultural and creative arc that his Jungle Book morality tales have taken over the past 130 years.
But the cuddly Disneyfication we know today would probably have been profoundly shocking.
I’m sure there are PhD papers out there with well-researched views on the de-fanging of stark Victorian children’s stories. But here we are. No po-faced lectures on obeying the law of the jungle, respecting authority and knowing one’s place in society; instead, plenty of feelings, jolly songs and heart-warming outcomes.
And all the better for that. The Octagon has developed a fine reputation for its Christmas shows and this romp through the jungle, directed by Sarah Punshon, is no exception.
First credit must go to set and costume designer Katie Scott. The jungle clearing with its atmospheric green canopy strung with creepers and fairy lights offers wildness and Christmas all in one – with the rope swings promising much excitement later.
The shimmering river in the opening sequence is a delight - and thank you, Charlie Ryan as Baloo, for letting us know it was not for peeing in. In fact Baloo builds his relationship with the delighted younger members of the audience almost exclusively through his digestive system – pretty much a character in its own right. Winnie The… is probably the only poo joke that doesn’t appear, and that’s probably down to copyright.
The growing of Mowgli is cleverly marked by a series of beautiful puppets; uncredited as far as I could see but bearing a similarity to the giant walking puppets that are a fixture in big summer parades these days.
And then the show bounds along, with Kiara Nicole Pillai’s Mowgli driving the pace with the very real abandon of a child. She charges non-stop up and down stairs, slides down ramps, swings on ropes and generally causes exactly the kind of mayhem (and exasperation) for her wolf mother Akeela - played with great feeling by Harveen Mann-Neary - that you would expect.
Harveen also plays the python Kaa, in a bravura performance that pays homage to Strictly Come Dancing and is probably the only time you will see a snake demonstrating snake hips while shaking maraccas on the end of her tail. I didn’t spot a samba roll, but I’m sure it wasn’t for want of trying.
In a fine night for alpha females, Shere Khan the tigress (Rachel Marwood) stalks imperiously about the set, dark glasses firmly in place, causing terror and flashing some of the most impressive nails – sorry, claws – this side of TikTok.
Writer Andrew Pollard keeps just enough of the dark side of The Jungle Book to ensure that we rarely lose sight of the conflicts and undercurrents of danger. Like Lord Byron, the monkeys (were those Brummie accents I heard?) are mad, bad and dangerous to know. The stately Bagheera (Ashley D Gayle) , is a constant beacon of caution and wisdom. The final fight scene is choreographed with care to be effective without scaring younger children.
The show is advertised as suitable for those aged five and over; I didn't see any children that young, but there was still some restlessness in a couple of the wordier sections that slow the pace.
I’m a huge fan of pantomime, which of course The Jungle Book is not - though there is the compulsory throwing of things at the audience - guavas, in this case. But this wonderful family production has all the heart, warmth, fun and frolic you could possibly want in a Christmas show, along with real depth of feeling and emotional intelligence. So I forgive it for not being a panto, and suggest you book your tickets very quickly.
More info and tickets here
