The Jungle Book - A Brand New Adaptation

The Jungle Book - A Brand New Adaptation

Ages 9-13

Duration 60mins
Speaking Roles 36
Cast Size 26-60+
Ideal Cast Size 50

Fill up your water-bottle and slap on the mosquito spray as you head into the jungle for the musical adventure of a lifetime.

Join Mowgli and Baloo, Bagheera and Kaa, the mischievous monkeys and the wily wolves in this brand new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s much-loved classic.

With nine original songs, a delightful and dramatic script, dozens of memorable characters and plenty to do for a large ensemble, The Jungle Book will captivate children, adults and nearby wild animals. 

Scroll down to the tabs below to listen to song clips, read the synopsis and script samples, and to view character information.

For a little extra, the editable Word.doc of the script can also be purchased when the Book/CD pack and a performance licence are bought. 

From the award-winning writers of Pantastic, which has now been staged in 23 countries around the world.

UK School Invoicing Available - email us at info@theschoolmusicalscompany.com 

  • Overview
  • Songs
  • Buying Options
  • Synopsis
  • Sample Scripts & Character Info
  • Reviews

Buying Options

Packs

Book & CD: Book includes full script, character list, curriculum-linked material, sheet music and lyrics. CD includes all songs recorded with children’s voices and full backing tracks.

Book & Digital Downloads: Book as above, with digital downloads that include MP3s of all of the songs and backing tracks, plus a PDF version of the full book. Where available, a complimentary pdf version of the abridged script is also included.

Licences

Performance Licence: You need a performance licence to perform our show to anyone other than pupils and staff. Our licences are simple - one price allows you to perform the show as many times as you like during a twelve month period.

Filming/Streaming Licence: If you plan to film your performance and manufacture DVDs for distribution, stream content on an internet site or on social media, you will also need to purchase this licence.

Extras

The EDITABLE VERSION of the script in WORD format is not available as a stand-alone purchase. However, it can be purchased alongside one of the Pack options when a performance or filming/streaming licence is also purchased. It is an additional item (script only, no music or production information) and is not a substitute for the main resource.

Overview

We have all heard of Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Akela, Kaa and the myriad of other animals in Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’: maybe because we watched the celebrated Disney animation, maybe because we were in cub scouts, or maybe we even read the book! By today’s standards, it’s a tricky read for children – and possibly even for adults. Its chronology jumps about all over the place, the language is challenging, as is the syntax. And yet it is hugely evocative, full of the most wonderful imagery, descriptions, insights, storylines and characters, most of which barely feature in film adaptations. As a musical for children, it offers the chance to take some of the characters and elements of the different stories, and weave them into a dramatic, funny, quirky and hugely enjoyable piece of theatre. We hope, with this brand new version, that we have done just that.

Synopsis

The scene is set as the ensemble sing the opening song (SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNGLE), telling us a little of the history of Mowgli’s time in the jungle and how he was welcomed by everybody . . . well, almost everybody.

With her eggs ready to hatch any day, Chil, the kite, is pleased at the return of her partner, Bill. They see Baloo the bear enter the clearing, closely followed by a number of young wolves ready for today’s lessons. Mowgli is late: he has been talking with the monkeys – the Bandar-log – for which he is immediately scolded by Baloo. Bagheera, the panther, enters and reminds Mowgli that dangers lurk everywhere in the jungle, but Mowgli is very confident in his own survival skills (LEADER OF THE PACK). Showing off to the others, he is then embarrassed and ashamed when his mother wolf, Raksha, enters.

Some of the wolf pack have gathered, shocked to hear that Akela has missed his kill. They discuss who might take over from him. Shere Khan, the tiger, enters along with Tabaqui, the jackal. They mock the wolves for allowing a man-cub to live amongst them, and question the wolves’ own identity (WE ARE WOLVES).

Mowgli is receiving further instruction from Baloo and Bagheera, in particular about learning to communicate with other animals (TONGUES OF THE JUNGLE) with the exception of the Bandar-log!

Three monkeys have been sent to kidnap Mowgli. Though easily distracted, they eventually lift the sleeping boy up into the canopy. Baloo and Bagheera wake and immediately start tracking them, sending Bill, the kite, ahead.

Akela is confronted by Shere Khan and his new wolf friends. Shere Khan tells Akela he will happily forego taking Akela’s place as leader if the man-cub is handed over to him. Suddenly Tabaqui enters with news that Mowgli has been kidnapped by the monkeys and that Baloo and Bagheera are in pursuit. Knowing he is now unprotected, Shere Khan and his gang set off to find him as Raksha worries about her little boy (WHISPER ON THE BREEZE).

Kaa, the python, is dozing, frustrated at the disrespect of a nearby porcupine (SNAKE EYES). Baloo and Bagheera enter and trick Kaa into helping them to rescue Mowgli. Bill enters and informs them that Mowgli is being held prisoner by the monkeys in an ancient city built in the jungle by humans, but now a monkey stronghold.

Bill returns to Chil, his partner, speaking proudly of his involvement in finding Mowgli. Shere Khan, Tabaqui and their gang of wolves enter and force him to reveal all that he knows, much to Chil’s frustration.

The monkeys are delighted to have captured Mowgli and sing triumphantly of their many qualities (WE’RE ALL MONKEYS). They decide to collect sticks so that Mowgli can teach them how to weave them together, but they are easily distracted and scatter to find nuts and pawpaw for a party. Mowgli is left alone with only the smoking embers of his fire-pot for company. Suddenly, Baloo and Bagheera enter from different directions and face the monkeys. Mowgli escapes as told, then Kaa enters and places the monkeys into a trance whereby he has complete control over them.

Alone in the jungle, Mowgli is surrounded by Shere Khan’s wolves. He speaks to them as brothers, but they are far from friendly. Shere Khan enters (SHERE KHAN) and Mowgli has to think quickly in order to survive. He threatens them all with the contents of his fire-pot. Anxious, the wolves start to depart. Shere Khan is furious with them and calls them cowards. They turn on him. Shere Khan grabs hold of Mowgli and is about to strike him when Mowgli throws the embers from his fire-pot into Shere Khan’s face. It buys him time, but only for a moment. Khan sets himself once more to strike, when Raksha enters and faces him, along with her young wolf cubs. Khan is about to attack when Baloo, Bagheera and Kaa enter. Khan knows the game is up, and leaves with his tail between his legs, never to be seen again (KING OF THE JUNGLE).

Song Samples

TitleListen
Somewhere In The Jungle
Leader Of The Pack
We Are Wolves
Tongues Of The Jungle
Whisper On The Breeze
Snake Eyes
We're All Monkeys
Shere Khan
King Of The Jungle

Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
67%
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33%
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A
Anonymous
Horington

My school did this musical 2 years ago and I still listen to the songs, bring back so many memories! Great fun to do

E
E Martin
So catchy and fun!

It was clear that this production was a hit with the children right away: the songs were catchy and easy to learn (the children learned them within 2 weeks), the speaking roles were plentiful and it was easy to add a few more in, and the additional support materials alongside the script and music made the production easy for staff to prepare for. I highly recommend using this production. Staff, parents and children all spoke highly of it and staff went as far to say that it was one of the best our school has put on! We will definitely use a 'School Musicals Company' production again.

J
Jenifer Welch
Perfect for our needs!

We just finished our summer drama camp production of the Jungle Book and it was a huge success! Thanks for making something that was just perfect for my 4th-6th grade students. We put the entire production together in just one week and it was very well received. I am sure I will be using more of your resources in the future!

£ 37.95
In stock. Dispatched within 24 hours

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