Review: The Jungle Book at the Octagon Theatre is ‘a spirited twist on the beloved Kipling classic’

Nothing beats a trip to the theatre at Christmas time with family or friends, for little ones it is often their first introduction to the arts and the impact can be huge.

The Octagon Theatre are staging an adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. And it is hard to please everyone with this beloved classic, as most audience members will have find memories of a version delivered by the house of mouse – Walt Disney.

So they expect the Bar Necessities and I Wanna Be Like You.

Jungle Book at the Octagon Theatre

Writer Andrew Pollard has taken the essence of this story of family, grief and nature/nurture and given it a bit of a twist, as the protagonist Mowgli grows into a teenager in this version.

Kiara Nicole Pillai makes for a spirited young character who is on the cusp of change. She excels at her knack for getting the audience involved and making Mowgli a teen really works, as he is seeking an identity, because he is a human being, who has been reared by a group of animal friends. This angle of the story is beautifully done, as it highlights that family can sometimes mean the people you turn to in times of need.

Charlie Ryan at Baloo

In a piece like this one, you need some comedy. And Charlie Ryan provides all of that and more as Baloo the kind hearted bear, who will do anything to protect Mowgli, the man cub.

Harveen Mann-Neary plays Akeela the leader of the pack of wolves, who becomes the boy’s mother and Kaa the snake. She manages to switch characters with ease, bringing humour, compassion and a manipulative nature as Kaa the slippery snake.

The snake scenes are too long though, as there is too much repetition, so a sense of peril dissipates as a result. If some of these scenes and the ones featuring a group of monkeys monkeying around were cut, the show would feel more streamlined and smoother. Kids are tough critics and one patron behind me asked when the interval was and when the show was finishing, and his was during these overlong vignettes.

Rachel Marwood as Shere Khan

Rachel Marwood brings a real sense of menace as Shere Khan, as done by Joanna Lumley. The way she moves and speaks has a patronising quality and disdain for her victims and she removes her sunglasses to communicate, giving across the effect of a night on the tiles.

Ashley D Gayle prowls the stage like an expectant father, waiting for news in a maternity ward, as Bagheera the panther, a protector for Mowgli.

The songs in the show see some little ones moving in their seats, and when the audience are asked to be involved, the piece comes to life.

The mix of tones from slapstick comedy to full on grief jars slightly, and this is due to a lack of balance. The comedy gets more stage time and the feelings of loss feel rushed, so we move on quickly when we should be wiping a tear.

“The cast give everything they have”

The cast give everything they have and there is much to recommend with this early contender for your festive theatre trip pounds. Katie Scott’s costume and set design avoids the Disney feel, staying true to the original book. And this works because the actors are not restricted by their costumes, and it means their performances bring the animalistic qualities to the front of the stage.

Sarah Punshon’s production has pantomime elements for those seeking the need to be involved, songs and flying fruit and jungle swings. With a few more cuts here and there, it would have more than the Bare Necessities to make it fly.

Tickets for Jungle Book at the Octagon Theatre

The Jungle Book is at the Octagon Theatre until 4th January and can be booked here