The Jungle Book gets a spectacular puppet makeover at the National Theatre
The National Theatre is heading into the Sundarbans with 57 puppets, a cast of 32 and a rather formidable Shere Khan.
Mowgli is heading to the National Theatre, but this isn’t quite the Jungle Book you remember. A new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic has arrived at the Olivier theatre, complete with an extraordinary collection of animal puppets, including Baloo, Bagheera and a rather menacing Bengal tiger, Shere Khan.
Created by puppetry specialists Lume, the team of Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the production features 57 puppets and a cast of 32 performers. The National Theatre has given audiences a first look at the creatures in a new video narrated by Countryfile presenter Matt Baker.
Adapted by Anupama Chandrasekhar (The Father and the Assassin), the production is directed by Indhu Rubasingham, with Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera taking on the role of Mowgli.
This time, the story unfolds in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, where Mowgli grows up among wolves, birds and tigers. When danger threatens his family and the only home he has known, he must work out who he is and where he belongs.
The creative team has taken on quite a challenge: making Kipling’s familiar animal characters convincing on the Olivier stage. The puppets are life-sized, with performers working alongside them to bring the jungle’s inhabitants to the stage.
And there’s more to look forward to beyond the theatre. In March 2027, the production will be available to watch worldwide for free on YouTube as part of the National Theatre’s Take Your Seats initiative. The stream will include captions in Arabic, Hindi, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and Tamil, as well as English.
The Jungle Book is playing at the Olivier theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, until February 6, 2027. Recommended for ages eight and over.
Tickets are on sale at nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
