The Jungle Book at Oldham Coliseum
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
For spring 2022 Oldham Coliseum will bring their previously postponed musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s famous story, The Jungle Book to the stage. And we couldn’t be more pleased that this brilliant family show takes to the Coliseum stage just in time for Easter.
The Coliseum’s eagerly anticipated production of The Jungle Book was in rehearsal when the theatre had to shut its doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Now, following a tough two-year hiatus, Kipling’s celebrated story, packed with toe-tapping tunes, swings into Oldham.
The classic coming of age story will be packed with super sing-a-long songs, humour and storytelling.
Exploring the universal themes of family, identity and belonging, The Jungle Book will be performed by a hugely talented cast of seven and will be set in an ‘urban jungle’ playground. Directed by Sarah Punshon (former Artistic Director of The Dukes, Lancaster), the classic coming of age story will be packed with super sing-a-long songs, humour and storytelling.
Join Mowgli, his wolf pack and his friends Baloo and Bagheera on this thrilling musical adventure.
Kipling’s classic book tells the story of Mowgli, a child who is raised by a pack of wolves in the jungle. When Shere Khan – a powerful tiger – vows to kill the young boy, his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther take Mowgli to the man village for his safety.
Will Mowgli outwit the cruel and powerful Shere Khan? Join the charming man-cub, his wolf pack and his friends Baloo and Bagheera on this thrilling musical adventure.
The Jungle Book will feature Jason Patel as Mowgli, Gareth Morgan as the formidable Shere Khan, Sam Yetunde as the protective panther Bagheera and Neil Hurst as fun-loving Baloo. While, Tamara Verhoven Clyde will take on the roles of Akela the wolf leader, Kaa the snake and Lella the wolf cub. The talented cast is completed by Ebony Feare as Mowgli’s wolf mother and Tarek Slater as Mowgli’s wolf father and Mugger the monkey.
Aside from the Coliseum’s annual family festive show, The Jungle Book will be the first family show that the theatre has produced for almost 20 years. And Oldham’s annual traditional pantomime is one of the best in the North, so we’ve got high hopes for this stage-musical by the Olivier award-winning writer, Jessica Swale and acclaimed singer-songwriter Joe Stilgoe. Don’t leave it too late to get tickets.
