Now I'm the king of the swingers
Oh, the jungle VIP
I've reached the top and had to stop
And that's what botherin' me
I wanna be a man, mancub
And stroll right into town
And be just like the other men
I'm tired of monkeyin' around!
Theatre producers The Steam Industry may not have designed their live stage version of Disney's The Jungle Book to turn in to a singalong event but once King Louie begins his tuneful ode to homo sapiens, we doubt the audience will stay silent.
The Scoop outdoor theatre season has been faithfully keeping to its programme of original performances this wet and windy summer, like the National Theatre's Watch This Space outdoor festival a little further along the Thames. The Scoop is the amphitheatre space next to City Hall and the cool, smooth, stone curved steps around the slate-coloured performance space does not easily transform into hot, tropical jungle filled with treacherous snakes and wily tigers or lost little boys in the care of conscientious bears. Still, if The Steam Industry were able to put Treasure Island, The London Nativity, The Causcasian Chalk Agamemnon and Oedipus out there, we're quite excited to see what they do with this much-loved Disney classic.
There are lots of opportunities to catch this free outdoor performance so if bad weather disrupts Baloo's rendition of The Bare Necessities and the vultures are halted in their slapstick, you can pack your rug and cushions and head back for another try. It's free, it's got the good kind of dancing bear and hypnotic snakes... what do you have to lose?
Disney's The Jungle Book Kids at The Scoop, More London site near City Hall, Wednesday 15 August, Friday 17, Saturday 18, Sunday 19 August and furhter dates, 6pm, free. For more information and the full list of dates, go to the More London website here.
