The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor has unveiled plans for a series of family-friendly ‘pyjama performances’ this Christmas during the festive run of Tom Jackson Greaves’ musical version of The Jungle Book.
Due to play the distinctive Berkshire venue from 18 November until 31 December 2021, the musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s much-loved classic story of Mowgli and his animal friends will provide the perfect theatrical bedtime story for children at 5pm on 19, 26, 27, 28 and 31 December.
Adapted, directed and choreographed by the Watermill’s long-time associate artist Tom Jackson Greaves, the production will star Peter Ashmore (A Christmas Carol, Watermill Theatre) as Shere Khan with Alexander Bean (Just So, Watermill Theatre) as Kaa/Councillor Wolf, Philippa Hogg (Peter Pan, National Theatre/Bristol Old Vic) as Bagheera, Guido Garcia Lueches (It Happened in Key West, Charing Cross Theatre) as Tabaqui, Rowena Lennon (Frankenstein, Watermill Theatre) as Baloo and Karishma Young (Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet) as Mowgli.
Commenting on the production, Jackson Greaves said: “After being an associate artist of the Watermill Theatre for the past five years – it makes me unbelievably happy to be working on my tenth production at the theatre and my first as director. It truly is one of my favourite theatres in the country.
“The Watermill emanates magic through its history and the team have a deep-rooted desire to push the boundaries of what the space can do. The Jungle Book is a tale I have fallen in love with and hope that our production will bring a universal serving of joy whilst telling a story that oozes themes of acceptance, growth, understanding and love. I cannot wait to share it with our audiences!”
Jackson Greaves heads a creative team that includes poet and lyricist Sanah Ahsan, assistant director Annie Southall and dramaturg Priya Patel Appleby, with composition by Dom Coyote, set and costume design by Jasmine Swan and lighting design by Andrew Exeter.
The stage management team members are Alex Berridge Schuter, Natalie Toney and Isabelle Moore. Lixi Chivas is audio describing and is one of two BSL integrated performers. The second BSL integrated performer, still to be confirmed, will be a deaf sign performer.
To allow for audience members who would feel more comfortable to watch the show with more space between them and other audience members there will be a socially distanced performance every week throughout the show’s festive run.
The Watermill continues to follow measures to control the risk of Covid-19. The wearing of face coverings continues to be strongly encouraged. Enhanced cleaning procedures, including regular fogging of the auditorium and an efficient ventilation system supplying conditioned and filtered fresh air also remain in place.
To help audience members to book with confidence, the Watermill is operating a flexible booking policy. In the event that their booking is affected by Covid-19, audience members will be offered a ticket exchange, account credit or refund.
Angela Thomas
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