“The Jungle Book”
Nottingham Theatre Royal.

This is a new adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic story brought to the stage from the same people behind”Goodnight Mr Tom” and Michael Morpurgo’s “Running Wild”.

Mowgli the man cub, has been raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his animal friends, including Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learns the law of the jungle.

The story is the same but this is a million miles away from Walt Disney's film. Straight away the setting looks like a metal block of flats, more "urban" jungle book that the setting we've come to expect from this story.

The trees are symbolised by ladders and the setting where the wolves live look more like a giant climbing frame you may see in a child's playground, again making the whole feel more up to date and urbanised.

Jessica Swale has adapted the story into quite a modern and relevant, as well entertaining piece of theatre. It reinforces, for younger viewers that everyone, no matter how different they are, can get along with each other. Given the current climate of the world at the moment, it's something that should be listened to, and not just by the kids..

Keziah Joseph plays Mowgli, and you forget that this talented actor with the big voice isn't a woman but really is a young boy racing around the forest without a care. Her energy is boundless.

The animals’ personality also shone through, as it did in the Walt Disney film.

Baloo (Dyfrig Morris) bumbling about,is great dun to watch. Let's face it, who wouldn't want a mate like Baloo?

The monkey’s cheeky playfulness and funky dance moves along with their "Essex" style vocabulary and naughty burp and fart jokes would have really hit home with the younger viewers.

The sleek panther, Bagheera (Deborah Oyelade) reflecting a more cool and sensible side of the jungle’s inhabitants all add to the fun. I must admit, I've always found panthers rather sexy.

Shere Khan (Lloyd Gorman) also has an air of cool, but shows that dangerous, edgy side of the animal. Almost like a panto baddie and I was almost expecting the audience to cheer when he got his comeuppance.

Kaa (Rachel Dawson) the snake, for me was not on stage long enough. just like a snake she was hypnotising.

The songs in the production, by Joe Stilgoe, are catchy and unique and had everyone clapping along in the high energy finale. Loved the song that Mowgli revisited several times about her identity, with a catchy "awooo" refrains.

The music was played live on stage, and while I'm normally not a fan of actors playing the instruments while in character, this time around the subtle approach meant that I hardly noticed it. I was so wrapped up in the story and the actors.

A revolving stage meant that the story could be moved on without any resetting of the stage. Not only that but with the running scenes, it gave distance and time span to the piece. The set, as well as the

wonderful costumes were designed by Peter McKintosh.

Some very energetic choreography by Lizzi Gee, once more adding to the fun element.

Directed by Max Webster, he made sure that everyone's attention was held because of all of the above, creating a fluid and entertaining two hour theatre piece.

The show is a fresh take on an old story and it breathes new life into a piece that is far from deceased. it's great fun for anyone who like to be entertained, but it also ticks the box for social commentary and awareness as well. Subconsciously educating without the preaching is a clever see saw to balance and this creative team and cast got the balance just right.

One other thing that i also enjoyed was the opening and the end because it gets you wondering if this was all a dream of a young boy who has a wolf cuddly toy, and we were invited onlookers into his sleeping mind...... or could it really have happened? You decide for yourself!

“The Jungle Book” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 21 April 2018