Alberta Theatre Projects’ holiday show is an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s story by Rohit Chokhani, who also directed it. It is an interpretation that sets the narrative in the heart of India and immerses the audience in the richness of Indian culture, landscape and colour. The production transforms the Martha Cohen Stage into an Indian jungle. The staging of this play is quite beautiful, and the puppets are really lovely, but the narrative needs a lot of tightening up. We don’t end up caring about Mowgli and the climax of the story is a letdown. Aspects of the story are rushed in the second half. The play is a wonder to watch and the staging is a gem, but the storytelling is incredibly forgettable.
This Jungle Book adaptation features primary and secondary characters and some that have been changed specifically for this production. The entire cast play several characters and are also the puppeteers. It still centers on Mowgli (Risha Nanda) who is found in the jungle and whose father is killed by the tiger Sher Khan (Duval Lang). Mowgli escapes death and is raised by black panther Bagheera (Javelin Laurénce), a mother wolf Raksha (Veenesh Dubois), black bear Bhaloo (Marshall Vielle) and is a sibling to wolf Akala (Kristen Padayas). The threat to Mowgli’s life is still there as Sher Khan vows to come back. We watch Mowgli grow up and learn about life in the jungle, including getting kidnapped by the monkey people and finding his place in the world.
This production is a tribute to Indian culture. From the audience participation Bhangra style dance, led by the dynamic Shrina Patel, to the vivid colours of the puppets (puppet design by Andrew G. Cooper) and in the set design by Brian Dudkiewicz.
Nanda’s Mowgli is so well done, with Nanda capturing the fact that Mowgli was brought up in the jungle and is completely overwhelmed when he is introduced to human beings. Padayas shows her versatility both as Akala and as Priya, the snarky village woman who tells it like it is. Lang embodies Rudy (a British ex-pat and author who is new in this production) really well, and his Sher Khan is as intimidating as the puppet allows.
The puppets are innovative and beautiful but sometimes lack animal quality or movement. The python Kaa (Dubois) is so colourful but doesn’t seem very snake-like and doesn’t slither when operated by the other artists. Sher Khan is a bit of an awkward puppet to operate, as his head is detached from his body. The puppet does not appear for the epic battle, which seems like an odd choice. The bird that is Tabaqui (Kit Benz) is lovely and floats above the artist with convincing bird movements. Although not primary characters, the electric blue birds that appear on stage from time to time are quite striking.
The entire Martha Cohen Stage is covered in vines and lighting design by Jessie Paynter illuminates everything in a mosaic of colour. Deitra Kalyn’s costume design is full of gold hues and has artists in churidar-like garments that sets the play in India. These theatrical elements truly transform the stage to put the audience in the heart of the jungle.
Alberta Theatre Projects’ The Jungle Bookis immersive because of the theatrical elements, but it is almost impossible to be immersed in the story. It could use a lot of editing and needs an emotional draw. The storytelling would also only be stronger if some of the storytelling was done through dance. This world premiere feels a lot like it is still in rehearsal.
Alberta Theatre Projects’ production of The Jungle Bookruns until December 31st. More information is available online.
The cast of The Jungle Book at Alberta Theatre Projects. Photo by Benjamin Laird. Set & PropsDesign by Brian Dudkiewicz. Lighting Design by Jessie Paynter. Costume Design by DeitraKalyn. Video Design by Brendan Briceland. Associate Set & Props Design by Ryan Cormack.