Book for a rumble in the jungle
ALL-TIME FAVOURITE SHOWING AT PEOPLES THEATRE FROM 8 MARCH
Celebrating Peoples Theatre’s 20-year anniversary of being based at Joburg Theatre, Jill Girard and Keith Smith are bringing back an all-time favourite in their first production of 2020 – Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS.
The magic of the jungle comes alive in spectacular fashion, providing children, parents and all those with a love of joy and laughter the ideal family entertainment.
The Jungle Book
KIDS officially opens on Sunday,
8 March and runs until Sunday, 26
April.
The jungle is soon going to be jumping with a jazzy beat! Specially adapted from the classic animated film, Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS features a host of colourful characters and your favourite songs from the movie.
Banished by ferocious tiger Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the deepest parts of the jungle.
On their journey, the two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear, named Baloo, who teaches them the swinging musical rhythms of the jungle.
After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys, led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives.
When Shere Khan returns, our heroes rally to defeat him, and peace is restored throughout the jungle.
Musical direction was provided by Coenraad Rall, musical staging by Sandy (Dyer) Richardson, set and lighting design by Grant Knottenbelt and costumes by Linda Wilson.
Baloo will be played by one of Peoples Theatre’s favourite performers, Luciano Zuppa.
This easygoing and fun-loving character shirks responsibility and is well known for his song The Bare Necessities.
He eventually realises that the man village is the best place for Mowgli.
Bagheera is Mowgli’s mentor and protector and is tasked with getting the boy to the man village but is met with many obstacles along the way.
Bagheera will be played by Thokozani Jiyane, who was last seen in the role of Marty the zebra in Madagascar Jr.
Kaa will be played by Bethany-Joy Jiyane in her first performance for the Peoples Theatre.
Kaa, surprisingly one of Mowgli’s wise mentors, is feared throughout the jungle for her mesmerising “hunger dance”.
She plays her part in getting Mowgli to safety.
Jiyane will also be playing the roles of Mrs Hathi and King Louie’s wife.
Shere Khan, a vicious man-eating Bengal Tiger, is the main villain and Mowgli’s archenemy. He will be played by Clive Gilson.
Peoples Theatre were very fortunate to work with Gilson in Peter Pan in 2016 and are happy to have him back to bring alive his three characters in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS, Shere Khan, Colonel Hathi and King Louie.
Says Girard: “Why The Jungle Book? It is a show filled with warmth and laughter, a show about loyalty, kindness, friendship and courage.
“This is a story that has delighted generations of children and continues to do so. It is a story that comes to life on stage.
“It is the ideal show to introduce and bring young audiences into the magic of theatre and in so doing, encouraging a lifetime of theatre going.”
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