Review: The Jungle Book

This Australian company begins before you even enter the theatre, encouraging the young members of the audience, the 'man cubs', to impersonate their favourite jungle animal. Photographs are taken as the audience enters the jungle - the theatre dressed out with creepers and mist and the sounds of the rainforest.

The show has a great deal of audience participation, led by Balloo, Mowgli and a mischievous jackal. This is not the Mowgli of the jungle, though. This is an adult Mowgli, back to visit the jungle and not instantly recognised by Balloo in his business suit. The concept is simple: Mowgli wants to return to the jungle and Balloo wants to go to the city and become a 'Bear Star'.

The show has appeal for the 5-10 year old age range, but this could have been broadened by catchier songs, punchier catchphrases and sharper stagecraft. There is the inevitable environmental message, but lightly applied, thankfully, amongst the animal impersonations. And those photographs from the foyer? Hilarious results when these are displayed on the large on-stage screen...

Watch out for the snake and keep your eye on that jackal!

12/08/2010