Kids in London – Jungle Book (Birmingham Stage Company Production) at Richmond Theatre

Having arranged to borrow a six year old for the evening, we met outside Richmond Theatre at 630pm. He was pleased as he usually gets put to bed at 7pm so we waved happily as his dad drove off and made our way into the theatre.

The theatre staff had transformed the posh Matcham Room – plush red carpets and sedate wall paintings – from private members’ bar to kids’ playroom. There was a large table with a whole load of colouring, cutting and sticking going on (impressive tiger sculptures guys!) and many small happy people. My companion was given a Jungle Book sticker and another marked ‘10’ to indicate his place in the face painting queue. I was a bit dismayed that with only 25 minutes to go they were only on number 2. But these guys were speed face painters and he emerged smiling proudly with a glittery snake painting just in time for the show’s start at 7pm. Phew.

The stage was set as a jungle scene and there was mist emerging from the sides. I was a tiny bit worried that if the story and songs didn’t follow his beloved Disney movie I was going to be in trouble. But from the minute it started he was transfixed. He chuckled along with the rest of the young audience, laughed out loud on one or two occasions and even jiggled in time to some of the songs.

The show starts with a very young Mowgli (portrayed by a puppet) almost becoming the bad tiger’s (Shere Khan) dinner but saved at the last minute by the wolves – led by Akela (any child in the Cub Scouts will be ever so familiar with all the names). Tabaqui – the jackal – really develops as a character (great acting) and becomes the baddie that the kids in the audience identify with (he was a little less frightening and did more comedy than Shere Khan).

Then the pack has to vote him in but luckily big old Baloo (fab Northern accent) the bear and the excellent Bagheera the black panther throw in their support. No Disney smaltz here though. The costumes took a little working out but the scenery – making liberal use of umbrellas – was fab and I particularly liked the use of realistic monkeys to manage the set changes.

Baloo, Mowgli and Bagheera have a play fight and we are treated to a song with a saxophonist and trombone player amongst the monkey cast. Loved the number “I’m a bad jackal, an evil kinda guy” and also the backing singers which I think were mice. Then Mowgli disappears off to play with the monkeys and there’s a great comic scene with brilliant timing between Baloo and Bagheera (“Got a plan?” – “No”). And here we meet Kaa the snake – a creative model and actress in sparkly skirt/leggings combo.

In the Lost City the monkeys are at play and there is some healthy audience participation. My young colleague joined in heartily. Just like a pantomime, but in the summer – neat! Then there was an urban rap number (“Jungle Boy”) and some dancing – this show has something for everyone! But, oh no, Akela is in trouble and Mowgli has to return to the village to get fire. Mowgli has learned his lesson that a life of only playing amongst the monkeys with no rules is no good – and that he was wrong to ignore his elders – even if they were a panther and a bear.

After an hour we had a 20 minute interval where ice creams and drinks were available but my companion was eager for the rest of the story. Back in the village we see how the humans have a different kind of pack rule and learn the importance of paying back promised favours when Mowgli helps Kaa escape. More comedy dancing. Then Mowgli sets off with an excellent cow model to work in the fields and to face the final confrontation with Shere Khan – and we ALL jumped - before returning triumphantly to the wolf pack to save Akela. More singing and dancing and general happiness before Mowgli sets off to find his own path in life putting both his jungle tribe and human tribe behind him. Hooray!

We were out of the theatre by nine so it wasn’t too late for a school night and my young friend – and I – had enjoyed a splendid evening of wholesome, happy children’s theatre. I thoroughly recommend that you take your small people along to see it if you can.