Baloo, Bagheera and Shere Khan are out of the shadows: the National Theatre has released a first look at the puppets of The Jungle Book as previews begin in the Olivier.
Baloo, Bagheera and Shere Khan have stepped into the light. The National Theatre released a first look at the puppets of The Jungle Book on 13 November, hours before the first preview in the Olivier Theatre.
The reveal comes in a short film narrated by the Countryfile presenter and conservationist Matt Baker, which introduces the animals on the Olivier stage. The production has a company of 32 performers and an ensemble of 57 puppets.
If the player does not load, watch the puppet reveal on YouTube.
The puppets come from Lume, the partnership of Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell; Caldwell is also the movement director. Anupama Chandrasekhar’s new version of the Rudyard Kipling stories relocates them to the mangroves of the Sundarbans, where a wolf-raised boy grows up among the animals. Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera plays Mowgli, and Indhu Rubasingham directs.
Rubasingham, who is also the National Theatre’s director, said: “Central to Mowgli’s journey is the loyal band of animal friends and family who guide him through this beloved story, alongside the threats that lie hidden within his jungle home.” Working with Barnes and Caldwell, “who have created these beautiful and life size puppets”, and with the actors who operate them, “has been immensely joyful”, she added. “I can’t wait for audiences to experience The Jungle Book in the Olivier, I hope it convinces everyone of the magical power of theatre.”
Around Abeysekera, Ayesha Dharker plays Raksha and Messua, Kel Matsena is Shere Khan, Tony Jayawardena is Moti, Sifiso Mazibuko is Akela and Ankur Bahl doubles Kaa and Bijoy. The National Theatre named the full company in September.
Several of the animals are shared between performers. Azan Ahmed and Sebastian Charles alternate as Baloo, Sarah Amankwah and Laura Cubitt rotate as Bagheera, and Kazeem Tosin Amore and Darcy Braimoh work alongside Matsena on Shere Khan.
Set and costumes are by Rajha Shakiry, music by Fernando Velázquez, lighting by Oliver Fenwick, video design by Ash J Woodward and sound by Benjamin Grant.
A wider audience will get its turn in March 2027, when the National Theatre streams the production free worldwide on YouTube during Take Your Seats, a week-long initiative from National Theatre at Home backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies. It will carry captions in English, Arabic, Hindi, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and Tamil.
The Jungle Book runs in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre until 6 February 2027, with its press night on 30 November at 7pm. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, and our guide to the production has the background.
