Comedy and chaos in store when Oddsocks stage The Jungle Book in York

In a comical adventure that combines stories from Kipling’s late-Victorian book with a big helping of Oddsocks humour, Mowgli’s friends, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and Kaa the python, willl help him to outwit his foes and learn the law of the jungle. To do so, man cub Mowgli must mix it with madcap monkeys, escape the crazy cobra and see off the terrifying tiger Shere Khan.

Producer Elli Mackenzie explains why the Derby touring company has chosen to reimagine Kipling’s novel: “We think it’s very topical, there’s obviously been the new film out recently and it’s a story that connects all of the generations,” she says.

“People who have children or grandchildren may remember the original Disney film and their children may now have connected more strongly to Jon Favreau’s new screen version. We thought it’s a good opportunity to say ‘Disney does it one way, Oddsocks does it another’.”

The Jungle Book’s 1894 story of ambition, trust and growing up among the leaves and life of the jungle is Kipling’s most popular title. “Its sequel, the imaginatively named The Second Jungle Book, published the following year, never quite found success like its forerunner,” says Elli. “To many, The Jungle Book is the 1967 Disney film, which bares little resemblance to the original narrative, or this year’s CGI packed-paradise directed by Jon Favreau. The Jungle Book has become one of the most popular children’s stories in literary history.”

Perfect timing, then, for Elli to have written her stage adaptation for the company she set up with Andy Barrow 27 years ago, since when they have made their mark, whether in Britain or further afield in Syria and Jordan, with their distinctive combination of comedy and chaos.

What can the JoRo audience expect from the latest show from regular visitors Oddsocks? “First and foremost, enjoyment!” says Elli. “Escapism and losing yourself in the moment for a couple of hours, being transported to the heat of the jungle and leaving a few degrees warmer than when you went it to the theatre over the winter months. Our retelling promises to do all our own stunts, with no CGI, and it will all be in 3D without requiring glasses.

Miranda Heath and Jennifer Shakesby in The Junge Book

“The Jungle Book is a fantastic, empowering story for all ages that will warm your heart and lift your spirits. Music, muppetry, laughter and excitement all mixed up to make a memorable experience for the whole tribe.”

Taking part in the show will be Jora Singh as Mowgli; Finn Shannon as Baloo, Akela and Father Wolf; Andy Barrow as Shere Khan, Horis and Chil the Kite; Miranda Heath as Bagheera, Otherone and Mother Wolf and Jennifer Shakesby as Greyone, Kaa and Monkey.

Oddsocks last made their regular winter trip from the Midlands to York to present their ambitious re-telling of The Legend Of King Arthur at the JoRo last January.

Tickets for their 7.30pm performance of The Jungle Book are on sale on 01904 501935, at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk or in person from the JoRo theatre.

Five questions for...Oddoscks producer, writer and actor Elli Mackenzie

Who are Oddsocks Productions?

"Oddsocks are celebrating our 27th year of touring and creating theatre for families. We’re enjoying producing The Jungle Book and over the past few years we’ve had the opportunity to re-read our favorite classic books and turn them into stage magic.

"The winter tour for us is such a nice change from the summer tour. From May to September we tour two Shakespeare’s in rep as musical, modern versions and it’s nice to be working on something totally different."

Why did you choose to adapt The Jungle Book?
"We think it’s very topical; there’s obviously been the new film out recently and it’s a story that connects all of the generations. People who have children or grandchildren may remember the original Disney film and their children may now have connected more strongly to this new version.
"We thought it’s a good opportunity to say ‘Disney does it one way, Oddsocks does it another!'. We’re going back to Kipling’s original story, be true to his plotline whilst making sure that the performance is suitable for a modern audience. Considering it’s a children’s story, it’s pretty dark
in places."

Has Jon Favreau's new film or other versions had an impact on the process of adapting the book?
"I’ve pretty much ignored the film as much as possible. I know the story that Disney portrayed in the 1967 film was very much borrowed from Kipling’s book and wasn’t really representative of the real novel in terms of plot.

"I’ve watched sections of the films, but we’re very much aware that you can’t create CGI onstage - not without a huge budget anyway - and it wouldn’t be true to Oddsocks' style. The feedback we get is how much audiences enjoy our inventiveness.

"Being an independent and self-funded company means we have to cut our cloth accordingly. We’re five actor-musicians and we have to adapt to lots of theatres, so if we were just looking to mimic the film it
would feel like an impossible task and wouldn’t be nearly as much fun for the audience."

Snake alert: Jennifer Shakesby as Kaa with Miranda Heath's Bagheera and Finn Shannon's Baloo in The Jungle Book

What does the process of adapting a novel for the stage involve?
"It’s been a good challenge. It’s a bit like looking at Shakespeare; it has its own language of 1894 and its own tone, so peeling away the narrative and getting down the dialogue is the first challenge.

"Finding the depth and the touching moments between characters is really important and you have to find a language that combines the original book and a story for today.

"Not only that but a story that reaches everyone in the audience from ages five to 105."

Oddsocks are not not only entertaining for an audience but also the actors look to be having just as much fun. Is that the case?

"Being onstage with Oddsocks is great fun and we’ve been really fortunate over the years to work with some brilliant teams of talented actors.

"The balance is enjoying it as a company of actors but not at the expense of an audience. There has to be an enjoyment and a spark on stage to keep the performance fresh, especially when you’re doing so many shows, but you have to ensure the story is never lost amidst the humour."

What makes each Oddsocks’ performance unique?
"The audiences obviously have a huge impact. It’s a new set of people, who find different things funny and engage in a different way.

"For the actors, we’re often in a completely different venue to the night before. That can mean in a quick change - often each actor will play three or more characters - if you go off stage to change in one direction one night, you might run into a brick wall the following night at a different venue."

What do you think audiences will take away from Oddsocks' production of The Jungle Book?
"First and foremost, enjoyment! Escapism and losing yourself in the moment for a couple of hours, being transported to the heat of the jungle and leaving a few degrees warmer than when you went
it to the theatre over the winter months!"