Cast Announced for The Jungle Book
This festive season, Theatre by the Lake (TBTL) presents an exciting adaptation of The Jungle Book, brought to life by acclaimed playwright Jessica Swale and featuring toe-tapping original music by Joe Stilgoe. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s beloved stories, this adventurous and heartwarming production promises to whisk audiences away on a magical journey through the Indian jungle.
Follow the extraordinary tale of Mowgli, the mischievous man cub raised by wolves, who must navigate the perils of the jungle while discovering where he truly belongs. When Mowgli’s carefree days of running wild with his wolf family are interrupted by the evil tiger Shere Khan, the young boy faces the ultimate test of bravery. With the help of his loyal friends Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, Mowgli embarks on a thrilling adventure to escape Shere Khan’s clutches and learn the true laws of the jungle.
Packed with playful puppetry, loveable characters and catchy songs, The Jungle Book will be a special TBTL brand of Christmas show for all ages.
Jordan Pearson will play Baloo, returning to TBTL after his starring role as Francis Henshall in the 2022 production of One Man, Two Guvnors. Joining Jordan is a talented cast featuring Hannah Azuonye as Bagheera (Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester), Girl From The North Country (West End), Measure For Measure and The Taming Of The Shrew (RSC)); Umar Butt as Hiran (Home (Albany, London), Yarns From Hyem (Blowin’ a Hooley Theatre), Welcome to the Jungle & What Is Love? (Arc, Stockton)); Maya Dhokia (making her professional debut); Elizabeth Green as Akeela (String (Omnibus Theatre), The Peter Rabbit Easter Adventure (Histrionic Productions), Scratch – The Nag’s Head (Old Red Lion)); Darren Kuppan as Shere Khan (Mahabharata (Shaw Theatre, Canada/The Barbican), Let the Right One In (The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester), East is East (Trafalgar Studios)); and Evie Whybrow as Raksha (making her professional debut). Imogen Greenwood (Intimacy (Watershed productions/Ed Fringe 23)) and Conor Neaves (Saint George and the Dragon, The Threepenny Opera (The National)) join the cast as understudies.
Director Kash Arshad is one of TBTL’s 25 portraits in their We Are 25 exhibition, on display at the theatre until August 2025. Kash is a Scottish-Pakistani director who began his TBTL relationship as an Assistant Director on Handbagged in 2017, went onto direct Guards at the Taj there in 2019, and has worked on acclaimed productions nationwide. For hundreds of creatives like Kash, TBTL has provided the formative opportunity that ignited their theatrical career.
Joining Kash in the creative team is Matthew Malone as Music Supervisor, Arrangements and Orchestrations, returning to TBTL after his role on this summer’s Brassed Off. Plus, TK Hay as Designer; Simeon Miller as Lighting Designer; Roly Botha as Sound Designer; Jennifer Kay as Movement Director; Kaitlin Howard as Fight Director; Maia Kirkman-Richards as Puppet Designer and Director; Mark Macey as Assistant Director; Joe White as Aerial Consultant; Kuljit Bharma as Cultural Adviser; and Liv Barr as Casting Director.
TBTL’s 2024 Studio show for under 6s is Tinsel, the tale of one magical little boy who dreams of being the fairy on top of the Christmas tree. He can sing, dance, and wear a sparkly tiara as well as anyone else can. But to get to the top, he’ll have to convince a whole tree of doubting baubles, naughty elves, and a naysaying nutcracker that anyone can shine if they’re just given the chance!
From Wrongsemble (A Town Called Christmas) and Gala Durham this festive production is perfect for ages 3+ packed full of original live music, puppetry and raucous storytelling.