A wild jungle adventure is coming to the Octagon this festive season

Bolton audiences will be swinging their way into the jungle this festive season with our new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved classic, The Jungle Book.

Adapted for the stage by Andrew Pollard, this exciting new family production will be directed by Sarah Punshon with original music by Ziad Jabero (adapter and composer for the Octagon’s 2021 production of Peter Pan, respectively) – coming to the Octagon for a Christmas adventure from Fri 22 November 2024 – Sat 4 January 2025.

The full cast have today been announced – with many making their Octagon debut.

Ashley D Gayle (Bear Snores On, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, A Christmas Carol – On Air, Theatre Royal Windsor) as Bagheera; Harveen Mann–Neary (UK tour of School of Rock, Asha’s Story, Icon Theatre) as Akeela; Rachel Marwood (Greatest Days Musical, Kindred Partners, The Possibility of Colour, New Adelphi Theatre) as Shere Khan; Kiara Nicole Pillai (Romeo and Juliet, Petersfield Shakespeare Festival, Beauty and the Beast, Stephen Joseph Theatre) as Mowgli;and Charlie Ryan(Spring & Port Wine, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Beauty and the Beast, Stephen Joseph Theatre) as Baloo.

Completing the cast,Daniella Barratt makes her professional stage debut as on-stage swing; and Imogen Khan (Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, Lyric Hammersmith/ Pins and Needles, I Want My Hat Back Trilogy, Little Angel Theatre and tour) joins as off-stage swing.

The creative team includes: Katie Scott (set and costume designer); Alice Brown (musical director and additional orchestrations and arrangements); Sundeep Saini (movement director); Tim Skelly (lighting designer); Kate Harvey (sound designer); Kaitlin Howard (fight director); Olivia Barr (casting director).

The Jungle Book director, Sarah Punshon, said:“I’m so excited to have this awesome cast on board. We’ve been plotting all kinds of ways for them to swing, climb, and slide their way through the jungle this Christmas, and I can’t wait to get started! With Andrew’s fantastic script and Ziad’s stunning songs, I know the Bolton audience are in for a treat.”

Join Mowgli and friends Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, a gang of mischievous monkeys and a pack of wily wolves as Mowgli learns the law of the jungle, in this enchanting new musical adaptation.

Funny, exciting, and wildly entertaining this new musical adaptation will be filled with catchy songs promising a captivating and joyful experience for the whole family.

The Jungle Book comes to the Octagon from Fri 22 November 2024 – Sat 4 January 2025. Tickets start from £15 and are on-sale now.