Chapterhouse Theatre Brings The Jungle Book Alive
Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of Mowgli, a boy who grows up in the wild raised by (mostly) lovable animals, has been a children’s classic since its release 120 years ago.
Iron Man director Jon Favreau’s recent live action film adaptation raked in over USD900 million (including USD150.1 million in China) and Chapterhouse Theatre brings their stage version to Beijing's Chaoyang 9-Theatre from July 21-24 and The Children’s Art Theatre of China Welfare Institute-Malanhua Theatre in Shanghai from July 26-31.
“We wanted to create something that is strong in storytelling and fun,” explains artistic director Richard Main. “The Jungle Book has songs as well as a lovely story about friendship and growing up. This is a family show. It will make adults smile and will also be fun for children.”
While he praises Disney’s iconic 1967 animated film “for reflecting the overarching themes from the book while still managing to include some catchy tunes and quite a bit of silliness,” Chapterhouse Theatre has created a wholly original take.
Award-winning playwright Laura Turner penned the script and Main teases the addition of a character that will strike a chord with Chinese audiences.
“We also have two very endearing singing chickens and included some elements that whilst not in the book are of the book,” he adds. “The story is, to all intents and purposes, about a boy who begins to grow up and needs to be part of his own kind.”
He admits that it is “never easy to recreate animals and exotic locations on stage,” but promises that they’re bringing “wonderful puppets, masks and costumes” specifically made for the China shows.
Since its premiere three years ago, The Jungle Book has toured the UK and Ireland twice. Ben Darlington returns as Mowgli, a role he starred in during the show’s inaugural run. Other Chapterhouse veterans Bryony Tebbutt, Hannah Douglas, Gareth Cary and Louise Mellor will also take part.
“One of the most important things is the puppetry skills of these actors,” Main adds. “All of them are trained and exceptional in the interpretation of the creatures they are responsible for.”
Chapterhouse Theatre’s foray into family theater marks the group’s continued evolution. The group formed in 1999 with a mission of continuing the British tradition of “theater being placed in all sorts of different environments.”
“Our first production, Romeo and Juliet, was performed around the country by a group of small actors, similar to what we do at some of the same venues,” Main explains.
Their inaugural show took place at Herstmonceux Castle in 2000 and has six shows touring open-air venues across the UK and Ireland this summer.
“Occasionally, the right venue and opportunity comes along and performing in China is part of that,” Main says.
“It feels strange to be bringing theater to one of the great cultural capitals of the world. I genuinely hope that our visit is a great success and that our links with China will become stronger in the coming years.”
Beijing: July 21-24, 7.30-9.30pm (Thurs-Sat) and 2.30-4.30pm (Sun), RMB120-380. Chaoyang 9-Theatre, No.36, North East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路36号。 地铁10号线呼家楼站C口出南走20米即是（186 0002 9225）
Shanghai: July 26-27 and 31, 7.30pm, RMB80-280. The Children’s Art Theatre of China Welfare Institute-Malanhua Theatre.
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