FEEL THE RHYTHM

Jungle Jambo blends group drumming with a powerful story, writes David Skipwith

Marching to the beat of your own drum is always fun but the Jungle Jambo theatre show gives kids the chance to join their own musical tribe.

The ultimate interactive theatre production, Jungle Jambo hits Auckland’s Herald Theatre these holidays to take kids on a magical educational musical journey full of laughter and jungle drumming.

Children can dress up as their favourite jungle animal and join Jambo the little monkey’s musical tribe to help save his home from railroad developers, as part of an inspiring story which proves that together as one, we’re stronger and more capable of making positive change.

Each member of Jambo’s tribe (audience) is given an African-styled hand drum to play along with the hour-long stage performance that also features digital characters and animation.

“It’s a very basic storyline that incorporates song and singing and interactive drumming,” explains Jungle Jambo creator John Boone.

“Parts of the storyline are actually told on-stage through song and sometimes we have animation so people can understand ‘right, that’s what’s happening’.

“It has so many underlining analogies and themes that reflect

issues in the world today but done in a way which of course is peaceful and nice in a manner suitable for children.”

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played an instrument, as the audience will be taught simple tabla drum techniques throughout the show that will stick in their memory.

Boone founded his production company, Rhythm Interactive in 2003, after returning from a trip to South Africa where he fell in love with the power of African rhythms and the concept of group drumming.

“The great thing is we’re teaching music with a message

- if you can say it, you can play it. So by doing that you’re connecting the brain with the mouth and the hand,” he explained.

“We’ve done a simplified version of that and are trying to teach people a sense of rhythm, so it is a musical lesson as well and people are learning all through the performance.”

The audience’s drumming forms a key part in the story, as once the tribe’s music is more powerful than the machines cutting down the trees, work on the railroad will be stopped. But who is Brutos, and what is he up to…? Can Jambo’s tribe save the jungle?

The show also helps to teach kids concepts of working together and trying new things, through the power of music, while parents will also enjoy the funny side of the performance.

“It’s a performance that puts everyone together as one,” said Boone.

“There will be young children in the audience who can relate to feeling small or too young to do things.

“We have it nailed so that right from the start of the show to the end of the performance the older kids are intrigued and challenged and enjoy it enough, and the younger kids are also totally enveloped into the magic of what we’re trying to do.

“And we’ ve made it funny enough so that adults can also have a laugh and also get involved.”