Meet the cast of The Jungle Book

Meet the cast of our upcoming Junior Youth Theatre production of The Jungle Book!

Eva Gilbert – Akela

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is about a young mancub taken from the man village by a tiger (Shere Khan). However, this man cub is saved by a pack of wolves. The boy, Mowgli, must try his best to survive the hungry jaws of Shere Khan, and make it back to the man village, but even there, he must be accepted first.

What is your role? Who are they?
I am playing Akela the leader of the wolf pack and Mowgli’s ‘wolf father’. Akela tries his best to protect Mowgli, but is getting old, and when he misses his kill, he himself must survive those who want tot take his place as pack leader.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
The best thing about rehearsals would probably be how it is a great way to improve your communicative skills when co-operating with unfamiliar faces. The environment never makes you feel comfortable and has improved my personal confidence hugely!

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
I have learnt how to improve my acting skills vastly. I have noticed, since The Jungle Book, how to project my voice better, more spatial awareness, and how to connect myself emotionally to the role I am playing.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
The audience should come and see the play because of how it will encourage young minds to come to youth theatre as well. Watching The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is what made me want to join Youth Theatre.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
Youth Theatre is important because of how it lets people express themselves and to be the comfort zone of many – it’s certainly mine. I have heard many mention to me how Youth Theatre is the one place where they can truly be themselves. That is why it is important.

Anything you would like to add?
I would like to add a mention about all the new opportunities you can get here over everywhere else.

William Kendle – Shere Khan

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is a story about personal growth, love, family, fun, adventures, find one’s self and the struggles that come from being a human living in the jungle.

What is your role? Who are they?
My role is Shere Khan, the powerful, power hungry, man-hating, wrathful tiger who wants nothing more than man to die and to rule the jungle.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
The best thing in rehearsals is the fun in making the character your own and adding your own flare and personality to each character in each scene.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
I have learnt how to be better control my voice and how to characterise better.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
Audiences should come and see this play because it is a truly incredible story, and a classic story at that, but with some Courtyard flare to keep things interesting.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
Youth Theatre has brought me some of the greatest and funniest experiences in my life and has also taught me valuable skills for later life as an actor.

Anything you would like to add?
If anyone would like to join Youth Theatre, I would gladly recommend it.

Cariad Eardley – Kaa

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
This is a story of a man cub who is adopted by the Jungle. He then grows up threatened by Shere Khan (a tiger). One day, he kills the tiger and no longer lives in fear.

What is your role? Who are they?
My role is Kaa. Kaa is a giant tree snake. Kaa is also played by three people and I am one of them.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
The best thing in rehearsals is probably getting to know everyone from all the years. And all the games and fun we have in every lesson.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
Skills I have learn include to never have your back to the audience. Also I have learnt to speak very clearly so the audience can understand because they only hear it once.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
I think the audience should come and watch the show because it includes comedy, drama and action, and it’s altogether a great storyline.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
I would like to be an actress when I’m older so youth theatre is helping to develop my confidence and acting skills.

Alexsandra Folvarkova – Kaa

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
It is about a human boy who lives in a jungle for many years. He is not alone. He lives in a wolf pack with Baloo and Bagheera until a tiger hunts him and he has to go back to the village to be safe. But the tiger dies and the jungle becomes a peaceful place for every type of animal and human.

What is your role? Who are they?
My role is Kaa the snake. He is very sneaky. Sometimes he helps Mowgli.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Confidence to talk in front of audience and new people you are not familiar with. Learning lines and working on the scenes.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
Performing in front of audience and developing acting skills.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
People have seen the film, so they should come and see how people perform it on stage and come and join CY drama.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
To meet new people and improve your acting skills because it can help you a lot in the future. Act on stage and don’t be shy and give you more confidence.

Anything you would like to add?
I think I wrote everything that is needed and all of the things is very important in small and big amounts.

Cameron Penny – Mowgli

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is about a boy named Mowgli who is raised by wolves and goes on a journey, eventually killing a man eating tiger, Shere Khan.

What is your role? Who are they?
I am Mowgli who is a man-cub raised by wolves.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
The best thing in rehearsals is getting to know everyone.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
They should come and see the production because we’ve been working really hard to put on an amazing performance.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
Youth Theatre is important as it gives young people a chance to perform.

Evelyn Morgan – Kaa

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is about a little boy Mowgli, who was raised by a wolf pack called the Seonee Wolves. The story is a flashback on his life when he was a young man-cub, and the struggles he faces.

What is your role? Who are they?
My role is Kaa. She is a hypnotizing snake who helps save Mowgli from harm.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Meeting the younger years and bonding with them.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
I have developed movement skills during our rehearsals.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
An audience should come and watch The Jungle Book to feel like that are part of the story and understand it better through the casts talents.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
It is important because it helps us improve our self confidence and gives us opportunities to make new friends.

Isis Macklin – Tabaqui

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
It is a show about a human boy who grows up in the jungle and tries to find his place in the wolf pack, while being hunted by a tiger.

What is your role? Who are they?
Tabaqui is a jackal working for Shere Khan, trying to hunt and kill Mowgli.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Blocking the scenes with all my friends and mixing with the older year groups.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
I’ve become a lot more self-confident in performing in front of people. It’s very supportive and people don’t think bad about you.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
It’s open and contains people of all genders, ages and skill levels. It boosts confidence.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
It increases confidence and introduces people to new friends they otherwise wouldn’t meet.

Jasmine Watkins – Messua / Raksha

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is an exciting story about a boy called Mowgli. It is a funny, exotic, full of laughter show and features lots of songs, interactions and you will have a great time!

What is your role? Who are they?
I have two roles, Messua and Raksha. Raksha is a wolf who finds Mowgli and decides to look after him. Messua is a kind hearted woman who lost her son long ago, and she finds Mowgli and suspects he is her son…

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
I think the best thing is just socialising with the people as everyone is really nice and friendly. I also like practicing scenes as it is lots of fun.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
I have learned about timings, social skills and organisation.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
Fun, exciting, interacts with audience, guaranteed a good time.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
Nice people, fun, learn new things.

Lilly Bryant – Messua / Raksha

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The story is about a young boy named Mowgli, who was raised by animals inside a wolf pack called the Seonee Wolves, During the story, Mowgli encounters an evil tiger, Shere Khan, who tries to end Mowgli for being a human.

What is your role? Who are they?
My roles are Messua and Raksha, both are Mowgli’s mums, except for the fact Raksha the wolf that raised him.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Meeting new people and younger children, creating bonds with them all.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
To embrace the power of my voice.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
To enjoy the thrill and tension of being in the jungle and be a part of the tale.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
It’s important because it helps us to improve of self-confidence and helps us to make new friends and gives us opportunities.

Lucas McShane – Taak

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
It’s a story about a boy who grows up in the jungle among animals. His name is Mowgli and is hunted by a tiger called Shere Khan.

What is your role? Who are they?
I am playing a cheeky, mischievous character called Taak. He is a monkey and part of the Bandar-Log tribe.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Meeting new people and making friends.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
As I’m playing a monkey, I’ve been taught creature acting and learnt how to walk and sound like one.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
The Jungle Book is fun, playful and also interactive.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
Youth Theatre helps people from Courtyard Kids all the way to Year 9 and more. If you like acting, Youth Theatre is the best place to be!

Maya Bukovets – Shere Khan

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is a play about a young boy who has been raised in the depths of the Jungle, having fun and adventures with his friends while also trying to escape from the terrifying, man eating Shere Khan.

What is your role? Who are they?
I am Shere Khan. Shere Khan is a vicious, rude, man-eating tiger who wants revenge on humans due to his past. He (unfortunately) dies.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Probably just being able to meet and socialise with so many new people and how fun and exciting it is to be acting. It’s an amazing experience and I’m grateful for every minute. 😊

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
I’ve learned how to really co-operate with others, even with such a large age gap, and I’ve learned how to performance certain characters emotions based on theatre.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
It’s a very active and exciting play, every scene making you want to know more about young Mowgli’s adventures.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
It’s great for growing strong bonds and having fun, taking a break and expressing yourself through your character, and doing something you love and are able to do at a young age.

Tilly Evans – Kaa

Can you tell us a little bit about The Jungle Book? What is the story about?
The Jungle Book is about a boy named Mowgli who is learning how to live in the jungle.

What is your role? Who are they?
I play Kaa, a big tree snake, who helps Mowgli escape the Bandar-Log monkeys.

What has been the best thing in rehearsals?
Meeting with people and working with different characters and watching the performances come to life.

What skills have you developed during rehearsals? Have you learnt anything new?
Working with other people.

Why should an audience come and see the play?
It is a show about growing up and making decisions.

Why is Youth Theatre important?
It is good for young children and older children to work and learn stuff off each other.

Anything you would like to add?
It is a very fun experience.

Book tickets for The Jungle Book here.

Looking for some weekend fun?

Come along to our FREE Jungle Book Launch Event on Saturday 5 April, 9am – 11am.

There will be lots of fun activities for families to get involved in, including: Face Painting, Transfer Tattoos, Storytelling (10am), Fancy Dress Corner, Arts & Crafts Activities, Jungle Book Trail, Pop up Performances plus more!