Duke City Repertory’s ‘Jungle Book’ animated, imaginative
Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” has been popular since its inception in the late 19th century, adapted to stage and screen many times. Now Ezra Colón has successfully adapted the classic for his Duke City Repertory Theatre, using the performance style of the Chicagobased Theatre Unspeakable, a theater company influenced by the brilliant French mime Jacques Lecoq.
Six actors perform the entire 50-minute play on an 8- by 3-foot platform. Each performer plays multiple roles and brings the forest to life creating trees, a well, a fire —“the red flower”— and whatever else is necessary.
The actors sometimes flit from one character to a tree to another character in seconds. The acting style is highly physical and makes great demands on the tools of the actor, with body and voice producing virtually all the effects of the show.
Kipling’s tale is a fable, and so the characters are anthropomorphized animals. He wrote the fable for his daughter, and like all fables, it provides a moral lesson, in this case the importance of learning courage, honesty, loyalty, cooperation and abiding by “the rules of the jungle.” Most of the actors play multiple animals. The exception is Mikael Ayele, who plays Mowgli, a human boy raised by wolves in the jungle. Ayele’s wideeyed innocence, keen perception and emotional responsiveness make him perfect for the part of the young boy who grows to manhood under the guidance of animals.
One of the highlights of the show is his burst of rebellion, in which he breaks away from his tutors only to find himself encaged by a bunch of mischievous monkeys at the bottom of a well in the Lost City.
Trapped, he remembers the “master words” he was taught to use when in trouble. Ashley Daniels, whose principal character is the alpha wolf Akela, also plays “Ron the Falcon” who responds to his words, “We be of one blood, you and I.” Ron the Falcon is a little too impressed with himself for responding with such alacrity to the call of distress. This is the most comic character in this otherwise serious fable, and certainly an audience favorite.
The actors work well together — as indeed they must in such a tiny space. Individuals interact and move together almost as one body, and at times the play resembles an intricate dance.
The intimate space itself is beautifully designed by Chesapeake Dalrymple, and evokes an exotic Persian pleasure tent, replete with Oriental rugs, which cover ceiling and walls. Kids (and a few adults) sat comfortably on pillows on the floor while most of us older folks sat on chairs behind them. This is a very creative show, designed to tour schools around New Mexico.
“The Jungle Book” is playing until April 2 at 2420 Midtown Place NE, Suite D, Albuquerque. Call 505-797-7081 or go to dukecityrep.com for reservations.