The North West Theatre Company presents “The Jungle Books” at the Roxy Theatre in May

Submitted by the NWTC

The Jungle Books were two volumes of stories by famed British author Rudyard Kipling. Written in the early 1890’s, Kipling told stories about wild animals living in forests, jungle, and seas, using many ideas and experiences he gained while growing up in British India.

The stories introduced to the world what are now famous characters, Mowgli the man-cub, Barloo the bear, Bahgeera the black panther, Akela the wolf pack leader and Shere Khan the man-eating tiger. The stories told tales and parables about how to live with each other, about wisdom and justice, and introduced the lessons from “the Law of the Jungle”.

Many of the stories Kipling wrote specifically for his eldest daughter Josephine, who sadly was to die of pneumonia at the age of six, while the Jungle Book stories were still being written.

The NWTC’s production of The Jungle Books is an adaptation of two of Kipling’s stories, by local playwright Rick Hutton. Rick was keen to write a play that would involve many players, young and old. Following the success of his adaptation of Charles Dicken’s “Oliver Twist” in 2021-2, Rick saw both value and challenge in adapting a story that had wide appeal, a large cast, and a challenge for the stage.

For “The Jungle Books” Rick chose two of Rudyard Kipling’s stories for his play. The first Act tells the story of the man-cub Mowgli, who as a young child, escapes an attack by the tiger Shere Khan on his woodcutter parents, and wanders into the den of a wolf family. Mowgli immediately bonds with his Wolf Mother and her cubs, and is taken into their den, to the great annoyance of Shere Khan.

The second Act tells how the now teen-age Mowgli, must decide whether to stay in the jungle or return to ‘men’ and the village. He then goes into the final battle with Shere Khan.

“There are many lessons learnt by Mowgli,” said Rick Hutton, who also Directs the play and plays the role of Rudyard Kipling, as the storyteller. “The other animals and the people of the village, have both love and hate relationships with Mowgli, and the themes of love, respect, friendship, wisdom and justice, are all explored in the play.”

“Our cast of twenty-two players, range in age from six to seventy, and our play includes, music and dance, and a life-like set for the Indian jungle.” Rick said, “We have wonderful costumes made specially for our players, and we even have a stampede of buffalo, depicted on stage at the Roxy.” He added.

“The Jungle Books” will be performed at the Roxy Theatre in Bingara on Saturday evening May 13, Friday evening May 19, and with two matinees on Sunday 14 and 21 of May. Bookings can be made through the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on 6724 0066 or on-line through www. roxybingara.com.au.

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park New Exhibition Opening

On Saturday 29th April you are warmly invited to join us at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park near Warialda, for our first opening of 2023. The exhibition opens at 12 noon and features the works of 4 Queensland artists. Trisha Lambi, Jordan Lambi, Rose Czarine Albendia and Corina Graham, These artists explore a wide range of subject matter, from people, flowers and animals to more abstract explorations, predominantly in oils and acrylic on canvas. The colours are sometimes soft sometimes bold but each artist has the ability to focus your attention on the carefully selected and detailed compositions. Put the date on your calendar and come over to Ceramic Break Sculpture Park for Art, exercise, lunch and refreshments and the chance to win a Green Prize.

It was once considered that artists had to starve in a garret to imbue their art with the validity of human experience. For Art to explore more than the pretty surface of images, an artist should not be a stranger to the sadder and darker side of life. These artists are all able to depict and reflect on the emotional challenges we face as well as the more amusing moments that raise our spirits.

Reading Trisha Lambi’s response to what directs her art practice we can see how she has been influenced by the many vicissitudes that have befallen her. Trisha’s work is inspired by capturing light on form and develops from there. In her still life paintings, the urns are dark in colour but along with the fruit, they glow with light. The white focus in Finding Bliss is reminiscent of the famous poster of the Greek island of Santorini. This visual analogy encourages us to imagine the joy and delight of being there in the brilliant light of the Mediterranean. Perhaps the slightly worrying dark sea and boat is there to remind us that bliss is only one side of an existential coin.

After following other passions, Jordan Lambi has reconnected with art and is a vibrant, young emerging artist, dedicating meaningful time to painting and finding his own expression. He was raised by an established visual artist and this background has enabled him to explore colour and form very early in his career. The deep reds and blues of Maelstrom encourage us to look deeper into the writhing shapes and then notice the eye staring down, intently. The hooded shape suggests a voyeur, but this may be too simple a response to the piece. Alongside his other works on show, you will be rewarded by a careful study of the colours and the fluidity which convey movement that tantalise with glimpses of images that seem familiar to us.

Rose Czarine Albendi is a Filipino migrant in Australia. Her work is oil on canvas and mixed oil and acrylic on canvas and depicts the worlds she has lived in and where she lives now. Rose has a wide range of subject matter. She captures the joyful essence of a cat snoozing in the sun, the cat’s fur is light and sun coloured as the cat naps in the quintessential Australian back yard, complete with hose pipe. Contrast this with the poignant piece ‘ When the Wife is Gone’ Has the wife gone to work?

When we look closer, the man’s facial expression and the dog in the bed, suggest ‘gone’ is more poignant. Rose’s interest in the style of Gustav Klimt is shown in her delightful work, The Family Embrace. She further explores Klimt’s use of colour and patterns in other of her pieces.

Corina Graham is an artist and mental health advocate based in Warwick Queensland and in 2022 she was awarded the Australian Citizen of the Year for her work with Demented Artists Group Inc (DAGs) Corina’s range of subject matter and skills are clearly demonstrated in her exhibited works. Her use of coloured pencils in the Chip Thief subtly highlights the moving sea; and the seagulls, behaving as seagulls are wont to do, gently reminds us of summer passing. Contrast this with the harsher focus of Redemption, a man with hands in prayer or supplication, searching for forgiveness. There is a gentleness and empathy suggested by the stark black and white lines and the suggestion of a cross in the window frame.

So come over to Ceramic Break Sculpture Park near Warialda on Saturday 29th April and combine a day of culture in the galleries and some exercise on the sculpture walks. Our doors open at midday and entry is by gold coin donation. Lunch and refreshments are provided. For those who remember to bring their own cutlery or utensils to recycle, the excellent Green Prize Raffle is on again. Fill in your name as you enter and you may win one of the beautiful plants to take home. For more information call 6729 4147, check out our website, www. cbreaksculpturepark.com.au or our Ceramic Break Sculpture Park Facebook page