(Snegugu
Mavundla as Baloo, Michaela Ogle as Bagheera and Shadene Hayden as Mowgli)
Fresh, bright and exciting production.
(Review by Keith Millar)
I was privileged to be invited to attend
last night’s supper theatre performance of The
Jungle Book at the Holy Family College. What a wonderful experience it
turned out to be. The production was fresh, bright and exciting – and it absolutely
charmed and captivated its audience.
The musical version of The Jungle Book is based on the Disney animated movie of the same
title, which in turn was inspired by stories of Rudyard Kipling. It tells the
story of a young boy (Mowgli) and the animals he meets in the jungle.
It was a bold choice by the Arts Department
of the Holy Family College to present The
Jungle Book as their annual production. It is a big and complex work which has
a huge cast and plenty of action. It requires innovative choreography, a
versatile set, talented singers, a multitude of costumes and imaginative sound
and lighting. What is more, the school needed to incorporate pupils from both
their primary and high school phases in the production and contend with the
requirements of various tests and exams while rehearsing.
In the circumstances, it was a tall order
to come up with a production of high quality which would be both entertaining
and engaging as well as serving an educational and fun experience for the
learners.
The drama team from the college under the
leadership of director Farla Ribbonaar certainly succeeded on all counts. They
produced a work that all who were involved can be truly proud of.
Without doubt, the costumes stole the show.
Designed and created by Edox Gerard they were beautifully conceived, very
imaginative and of a standard acceptable on a professional stage.
The lead role of Mowgli was played by
Shadene Hayden. She gave a good sustained performance with just the right mixture
of sass and warmth.
However, the standout performance was by
matric pupil Rafe Green as Kaa the snake. All slithery and slippery evilness,
he was delightfully bad. Maybe we saw a star of the future. Also of note was the
performance of Kwanele Tenza as the jazzy King Louie, the leader of the monkey
troupe. The impish troupe was exactly like the groups of vervet monkeys which
move through our gardens with all their tumbling about and looking for mischief.
Brendon Mkhize as the stuffy Sandhurst
trained leader of the Elephants was beautifully pompous and cast some doubts on
the saying that “elephants never forget". Michaela Ogle was wonderful as
Bagheera as was Snegugu Mavudla as Baloo and Naledi Makhetha as Shere Khan.
I was also enchanted by the chorus. Singing
and dancing and singing with joy and abandon, their eyes shining as brightly as
their costumes. I wish I could mention every cast member but they certainly all
played an important part in a very successful production.
Thank you to the Holy Family College
community for your welcoming and friendly hospitality. I could not help but to
leave the campus with a big smile on my face. – Keith Millar
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