Welcome to the jungle

THE BARE NECESSITIES: Kaa the python, played by Christoffer Fraser, in Evolution Theatre Company children’s production of The Jungle Book, confers with cobras (left) Diego Castano, Irelyn Purnell and Carter Allen. Picture by Suzan Anderson

Set in a forest in India, The Jungle Book is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling. At the centre of the stories is Mowgli who was raised in the jungle by wolves. Among various film versions of The Jungle Book is Disney’s 1967 animated musical comedy, a 1994 remake of the 1967 version but one in which the animals don’t speak, and Disney’s 2016 fantasy adventure film.

For the Evolution Theatre Company children’s production of The Jungle Book, director Julie McPhail returned to the original text Kipling wrote 125 years ago.

With a range of animals in the stories that include Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear, The Jungle Book presented a good balance of characters for younger and older children from the theatre company’s Rising Stars drama group to play.

The production includes four mischievous monkeys who bring some slapstick comedy to the show.

“There have been a lot of versions of The Jungle Book but I wanted to bring more of the story out,” says McPhail.

“I wanted to go back and write a version from the story that Kipling wrote for his daughter.”

Mowgli was born in an Indian village and while his mother was busy with washing clothes the baby boy went missing.

“Was it the monkeys or was it the tiger?” says McPhail.

The second part of the production includes a monologue called I Hate Monologues, and a version of Little Orphan Annie which will be played by six young actors.

The Jungle Book, Evolution Theatre, 75 Disraeli St, tomorrow at 5.30pm, September 21-22 at 1.30pm. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children. Door sales only, cash or Eftpos.