Drama/ 16 Characters, 7 Men, 2 Women, 7 either/or/ Full Length, Two Acts
Synopsis: This epic version of Kipling’s classic was first performed professionally as an outdoor promenade production by Lancaster Dukes Theatre. Torn between his wolf family and his human mother, and between the law of jungle and “civilization,” Mowgli faces threats on all sides — crazy monkeys, an idiotic hunter, and a malevolent tiger.
Sticking closely to the ethos of the original, John Chambers’ lively adaptation offers plenty of humour and drama, not to mention some original Kipling lyrics. At its heart is a boy growing up and trying to discover who he really is . . .
A summary of the original novel, from penguinreads.com (PDF): “A very young boy, called Mowgli, lives in the jungle. Shere Khan, the tiger, wants to look after him, and so do the wolves. Akela, the wolf leader, decides that Mowgli will stay with the wolves. Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther also look after him. Mowgli stays in the jungle for ten years. When Akela becomes old, Shere Khan thinks he might now get Mowgli with the help of the young wolves who don’t like him. Mowgli defends himself by throwing fire at his enemies, but he must leave the jungle. He says goodbye sadly to his friends and family and goes to live in the village.”
“Not to be missed.”
– Westmoreland Gazette“A must for youngsters, the show is great fun for mums and dads too.”
– Sunday Express
Contact information:
Amateur and Professional Rights:
John Chambers
E-mail: artistan38@tiscali.co.uk
About the Playwright: John’s stage plays include: Stiff Stuff; Shouting at the Radio; Raw Material; Albert Finney Doesn’t Live Here Any More; Robin Hood – The Raven’s Revenge – all at the Library Theatre Company where he was Arts Council Resident Dramatist; Two Wheel Tricycle (Contact Theatre); Silver Lining (Oldham Coliseum); Yoiks Oiks (Bolton Octagon); The Marigold Trilogy (Real Life Theatre. M.E.N. Best Fringe Award); Balling the Blues (One Step); City of Gold (Arden).
John has written three epics for Lancaster Dukes Promenade Seasons – Tales of King Arthur,Jungle Book and The Three Musketeers, and several pieces for/with young people at Manchester Youth Theatre and M6 where he was also Resident Writer.
Co-written theatre work includes: Scandals – The Life & Liver of Frank Randle with Keith Clifford (which John also directed); Crazy People with Marvin Close (LTC); I’m Marrying Ryan Giggs (Robbie Fowler in Liverpool!) with Dave Simpson (Liverpool Playhouse & national tour); Koff with Brian Morgan (One Step).
He has written around 100 hours of television including: The Bill (Thames); Emmerdale(Granada-YTV). Working on it during BAFTA Best Soap year 2001); Eastenders; Runaway Bay (YTV / Lifetime); 14 episodes of Children’s Ward (Granada. Including RTS Best Children’s Drama Series); 3 fifteen minute films for BBC Education’s Turning Points, (which won BAFTA and RTS awards, 1999); Away From Home and Grease Lightning – 30 minute plays for BBC2 (Northwest); Dramarama (ITV).
Kipling’s Jungle Book Stories was first produced at the Lancaster Dukes Promenade Seasons in 1996.
“Winning hearts in a new way.”
– The Stage“It’s a great play.”
– Lancashire Evening Post