The Jungle Book (NHB Modern Plays)

Rudyard Kipling's beloved tale of family, belonging and identity has been reimagined in this acclaimed adaptation by Jessica Swale, with original songs by Joe Stilgoe. The Jungle Book tells the story of Mowgli, the man-cub who is raised by wolves. With a little help from his animal friends - including Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear, and Kaa the python - he must face the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learn the Law of the Jungle. This musical adaptation is packed with memorable characters, catchy songs and brilliant storytelling, offering rich opportunities for all school, college, youth-theatre and amateur groups looking for a 'fresh, ambitious and inventive' (The Times) version of a much-loved classic. It was widely seen on tour of the UK, produced by the Children's Theatre Partnership, Fiery Angel, and Royal & Derngate, Northampton, in 2018. 'Fresh, ambitious and inventive' - The Times 'Joyfully inclusive' - The Stage 'A celebration of diversity and the power of family, no matter what form it takes... Swale has given us a Jungle Book for the present day, one ready to enchant and educate in equal measure' - WhatsOnStage 'Beguiling, thrilling and witty' - Northampton Chronicle 'More than the expected family show, teaching messages of equality, diversity, acceptance and more. It reminds audiences of all ages that our differences only divide us if we let them' - Mancunian 'A beautifully heart-warming show' - Miro Magazine

Jessica Swale is a writer and director, and the Artistic Director of Red Handed Theatre Company. Her first play, Blue Stockings, premiered at Shakespeare's Globe and won her a nomination for Most Promising Playwright in the Evening Standard Awards 2013. Other plays include Nell Gwynn and Thomas Tallis (both Shakespeare's Globe); All's Will That Ends Will (Bremer Shakespeare Company); adaptations of Far from the Madding Crowd, Sense and Sensibility (Watermill Theatre), The Secret Garden (Grosvenor Park) and The Jungle Book (UK tour 2017 & 2018); and an original play, The Mission, about illegal adoptions in the 1920s. She has directed a number of award-winning productions for Red Handed, which is dedicated to creating new work and rediscovering forgotten plays. Recent productions include The Rivals starring Celia Imrie, the London premiere of Palace of the End by Judith Thompson, and the first major revival of Hannah Cowley's The Belle's Stratagem, which won her a nomination for Best Director at the Evening Standard Awards. Other direction includes Bedlam (Shakespeare's Globe); Sleuth (Watermill); Fallen Angels (Salisbury Playhouse); Winter (TNL, Canada); The Busy Body, Someone to Watch Over Me (Southwark), The School for Scandal (Park Theatre); and productions at RADA and LAMDA. She was Max Stafford-Clark's Associate Director at Out of Joint from 2007-2010. She is an associate artist with Youth Bridge Global, an international NGO which uses theatre as a tool for promoting social change in war-torn and developing nations. She has written three titles in Nick Hern Books' popular Drama Games series: Drama Games for Classrooms and Workshops, Drama Games for Devising, and Drama Games for Rehearsals.