Rudyard Kipling’s book was given the Oddsocks Treatment and it was fantastic to see what they could do with some instruments, small jungle set and five people; transporting the audience into the heat of the Indian jungle for fun and laughter.
Pantomine it wasn’t, but audience participation was necessary and encouraged by the enthusiastic team.
We had to be on alert, ready to howl and prowl as part of the wolf pack led by Barry Shannon’s slow moving and hilarious Akela.
The story follows the lively and energetic man cub Mowgli, played by Jora Singh, as he grows up as part of the wolf pack; learning the laws of the jungle from the lazy Baloo the Bear, the catwoman like panther Bagheera (Miranda Heath) and Kaa the slithering python (Jennifer Shakesby) while trying to stay out of the evil clutches of Shere Khan, played brilliantly by director Andy Barrow.
Although they are no renditions of Bare Necessities or I want to be like you, the crowd are kept entertained with Shere Khan belting out Katy Perry’s Roar.
The highlight had to be the amazingly large elephant that not only surprised the audience with its appearance but its dancing with Mowgli that was brilliant in its invention.
With gags, music, puppets, audience participation and surprises this made an excellent afternoon of family friendly entertainment that sent everyone home with a smile.
Nathan Collins
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