The Junior Production of The Jungle Book opened last night in true style. With a cast of 90 pupils, including the entire Lower School, the play always promised to be a lively and energetic affair. But the audience was unprepared for the overwhelming enthusiasm and sheer spectacle of the play. Congratulations to the Drama Department for an absolutely stunning show!
The Jungle Book is a well-known and much-loved story; created in 1894 by Rudyard Kipling, the tale became an international hit when Disney made it into a film. Since subject to the Shiplake College treatment, the play has maintained all of its humour, with sentimental moments peppered throughout. The moment the audience stepped into the Tithe Barn, the effort that has gone into creating the play was evident. It was like entering a jungle; grass covered the floor, trees reached up to the ceiling and some audience members sat atop a waterfall at the back of the theatre. Sound, lighting and backstage duties were expertly executed by Joe Duncalf, Sylvester Sutherland, George Lucas and Jacob Kirby, ensuring that the dynamic play ran smoothly.
The play opened with a group of wolf cubs playing around at the side of the stage, before Bagheera (played by Rhys Ash) came on to introduce Mowgli’s story. Mowgli was expertly portrayed by Tom Wilkinson, who leapt around the stage with such agility and poise it was easy to see him as a boy who had grown up around animals. Patrick Kenny gave an endearing performance as the lovable bear Baloo, with the added humour that he was meant to be a little tipsy. The elephants, led by Will Symons as Hathi, marched onstage as hapless soldiers. As the story unfolded, Mowgli was captured by the monkeys. Every member of Lower School took on the part of being one of King Louie’s monkeys, with Charlie Thomas taking on the role of the swinging king himself. Ben Brockway slunk around the stage as the nefarious Kaa, whilst Will Mandondo made a fiendishly brilliant Shere Khan. Joe Perry, Lucas Batty, William Kayll and Kai O’Hare were hilarious as the vultures; adopting a Liverpudlian accent and clad in ‘60s hippies gear, the allusion to The Beatles was clear. Following the final fight scene between Mowgli and Shere Khan, the play ends on a comic note, as Henry Finnegan sashays onto stage in a pink dress.
Mrs Nicola Sutherland and Mrs Vanessa Hine crafted an outstanding set, and the costumes were fabulous. Rather than pretending to be animals, the cast had modern-day costumes which added a unique element to show, bringing it into the 21st century. The cast were fantastically supported by the band, led by Mrs Louise Rapple Moore, joined by Mr Patrick Moore, Mr Paul Jones, Mr Aled Elmore, Mr Byron Ward and Bobby Howard-Jones. All of the classic Disney songs amongst the action left audiences with toes tapping. Head of Drama Mrs Jenny Nunes and Mrs Sian Pearson have worked tirelessly on creating their vibrant and animated piece. Don’t miss your chance to see it! Limited tickets are still available for Friday’s performance, and the Saturday matinee; click here to book. See below for photos.
