The Sun
12 Wednesday April 14, 2021
Famous jungle tale told through ‘riot of colour’ A lot of time and effort has gone into creating the costumes and masks for The Jungle Book. Photos provided
ABOVE: The ‘naughty’ monkeys add humour to the show. LEFT: Mowgli meets his mother Messua after living in the jungle with the wolves for 11 years.
Baloo, KAA and Bagheera joke: "What do you get when you cross a snake with a pie? A pie...thon!" The monkeys’ joke: “What did the banana say to the ice cream? Wanna split?”
hildrens C h g u o r o lb r Ma tre & Youth Thea
The famous story of Mowgli by Rudyard Kipling will explode in a riot of colour in the Marlborough Children’s and Youth Theatre production opening next Monday, April 19. The Jungle Book will be held at the Boathouse Theatre and will run through to April 23, 10.30am and 1.30pm daily. There will be an added 6.30pm performance on Wednesday, April 21. In preparation for their time on stage, the children involved have been in dress rehearsals this week. Director Duncan Whiting says the costumes will add the ‘wow’ factor to the show with a focus on the ethnic Indian designs, adding authenticity to the famous story. Wardrobe mistress Sheryl Whiting, with the aid of a group of helpers and members of the Indian community, have scouted the op-shops in Blenheim and Nelson to source the fabric and ready-made colourful dresses, scarves and headgear for all of the two alternating groups of students performing. The performers not only play the roles of villagers, but also the various jungle animals. This is a vital part of the musical’s storyline using elaborate animal masks while retaining their ethnic costumes, Duncan says. “The array of colour on stage will define the different sets of animals such as the very naughty, but funny monkeys who dress in orange trousers with over-the-top loose floral shirts and waistcoats and monkey masks. “They will be led by Ethan Roberts who plays the Banderlog King,” he says. Those who know the famous tale of young Mowgli will remember it was the wolves that raised the child, played by Cashel King. Raksha the mother wolf will be played by Zoe Luffman, the black panther by Jack Fransen, Baloo by Josh Dickens, and the fearsome Shere Khan by Luka Van Rensburgh. Each of these costumes are colourful and complemented with elaborate masks. The use of animal puppets adds another element of interest with KAA the snake being the largest on stage, led by Jed Cornelius. But it is the alternating juniors and intermediate actors who will bring the “riot of colour” in their costumes to life as they help to tell the great story of Mowgli, and how in life it is OK to be different, Duncan says. “The Jungle Book promises to be exciting, colourful, dramatic, funny, thoughtful and a delight for kids of all ages,” he says. “Taking a child to the theatre is something they will remember, talk about, and will stay with them forever.” Tickets are available from Motorworld. See the advertisement below.
$18 Tickets from Motorworld Blenheim 53-55 Scott St Blenheim
Phone for group bookings (10+) 021 158 9660 On at the Boathouse Theatre Marlborough
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Sun, The Blenheim & , Motorworld te ta s E rk la C se Theatre The Boathou PRESENT
April 19th & 20th 10.30am & 1.30pm
April 21st 10.30am, 1.30 & 6.30pm
“it’s okay to be different”
April 22nd & 23rd 10.30am, 1.30pm