Photos – Dawn Pugh
The Lane Cove Theatre Company has boldly taken on the much-loved story The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. This performance is a joy to watch and is a great night out for the whole family. It does not shy away from the realities of jungle life. Deadly and fierce, nature’s law are always present but are dealt with in a way that allows you to see them as a balanced part of life. It is refreshing to see a performance that acknowledges the shadows as well as the light.
Charlotte Pugh plays Mowgli and she is a dynamo. Very quickly you accept Mowgli as a girl and you wonder why you would have doubted it in the first place. Pugh brings strength to the character that forms the backbone to her performance as the man-cub raised by wolves, educated by a bear and a panther and whose home is the jungle itself. She is strong and feisty and her expressions and mannerisms were flawless.
Madeleine Biddle is Bagheera, the panther who guides and protects the child. Her physicality is delightful to watch. Her performance is wonderful and was made believable by the subtleties of her movements, the twitch of her tail, the cat like stance she takes while talking to Mowgli. Put all together and Bagheera is a panther you definitely want on your side.
The whole cast come together for the musical numbers and not one of them could be replaced. There is a spectacular energy to the songs and your feet will start tapping without asking you first. Old favourites as well as new interpretations with modern twists see the cast jump, tap and twirl around the stage and leave you wanting to sign up for the closest musical theatre class.
The costumes and set were strong and there is a bold creative streak running throughout the design of the show.
This performance of The Jungle Book is community theatre at its best. The youngest performers hold their own and the older actors demonstrate a great commitment to their craft.
Lane Cove Theatre Company presents
THE JUNGLE BOOK
Adapted from Rudyard Kipling
Director Bedelia Lowrencev
Venue: The Performance Space @ St Aidan’s, 1 Christina Street, Longueville NSW
Dates: 18 Nov – 3 Dec 2016
Tickets: $25 – $15
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/KIIF
Sydney Reviews
The Jungle Book | Lane Cove Theatre Company
- Details
- Emily Shaddick
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