The Jungle Book Kids

This happy troupe of youngsters gave an enthusiastic performance of Disney’s adaptation from the film. Human Boy Mowgli has lived in the jungle all his life but has now been banished by tiger Shere Kahn who senses he is still in the jungle and tries to track him down. Mowgli has his champion in Bagheera the panther who tries to get him safely out of the jungle. On the way they have to deal with the scavenging Vultures, the wily and sinuous snake Kaa, a herd of elephants, a very threatening set of monkeys and a giant bear Baloo until all of his jungle friends rise up to challenge Shere Kahn and then all is resolved. Mowgli is played by Aaron Ross with innocence and sangfroid, Shere Kahn by Aiden Johnstone in steely, dominating fashion and Bagheera by Eilidh Smith as agile, clever and friendly. Sarah Tait is assisted in her hissing role of Kaa by the Coils, so named because of their frightening slithery and squeezing abilities. Craig Bachen gives us a likeable bear who welcomes Mowgli with his own brand of movement and song and Lucy Freck was in fine voice as Shanti. The herd of elephants were ably led by Aiden Ross as Colonel Hathi while all the monkeys, lithe, and acrobatic, were led by Jennie Donachie as the sinister King Louie. The Jungle Ensemble, The Wolves, and the Dancers all contributed to the sense of the jungle as did all the recorded sounds of the birds. Dressed in their animal roles, especially the monkey faces, this young cast captured the movement and mannerisms of their respective animals. Factor in well-known songs like Bare Necessities and I Wan’na Be Like You along with some spooky fluorescence and the young group demonstrated how well they have developed. With their sound tracking support, the cast took their audience to the jungle and entertained us all. Well Done.

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