JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED

I, (on purpose,) have never read nor seen any version of Rudy Kipling’s classic tale, The Jungle Book. You read that right—not even the iconic Disney animated one. It’s just not my kind-of story.

But, as you may know, I love dance. And I’m a big fan of the BroadStage in Santa Monica. So it was a no-brainer for my friend Nina, a former dancer herself, and me to spend a lovely afternoon last week-end at that venue seeing the Akram Khan Company’s interpretation, entitled Jungle Book reimagined. (They made that  “r” small; it’s not a mistake on my part.)

This is a very different kind of dance show. It’s one complete tale, but “reimagined” with a social conscience. And they changed the main character of Mowgli to a girl, which, with everything that’s happening in the world right now, I didn’t have time to get upset about, as I normally would. This rendition also features lots of dialogue in voice-overs. (More on that in a moment.) And vegans would love it!

Jungle Book reimagined has the basics of Kipling’s stories, with the twist of it now being about the horrifying effects of climate change. Ecology was actually my minor in my last college, at a time when it wasn’t popular to care about the environment. I also recycle more than anyone I know, so I’ve been all for making people aware of the devastation of climate change for a long time now.

But my main take-away from this performance is how much I appreciated all the movement from the excellent dancers. That’s why I love dance so much—the athletic abilities and grace on display are magical to me. And Akram Khan’s group is superior. The best parts of the production were when the ensemble danced together with just the music. I adored those.

I also loved the beautiful and creative projections. The screen at the foreground of the stage was so clear that I didn’t even realize that it was in front of the dancers until fabulous stampeding animals showed-up on it! That impressive video design and animation was by a company with the delightful moniker (I’m being sarcastic) of YeastCulture. (It took me forever to research them because all I kept getting is how to make a culture from yeast! Or worse! If you’re a woman, you’ll understand that!) Despite the unfortunate company name, I look forward to seeing more of their lovely work.

The detailed synopsis of the very complicated narrative in the program helped a lot with understanding the action; I would have been lost without it. It also explained this company’s take on the 1894 original very well. So I advise audiences to always read your programs before the entertainment begins.

As to the aforementioned talking, I wasn’t prepared for it—I was there for the movement—but I just went with it. Usually I detest hearing talking during dance presentations. I don’t mean from the audience, (although I hate that, as well, of course—who doesn’t?  Except for the rude chatters themselves.) I mean as part of the production.  I usually find it a tad pretentious and very annoying. But in this case, the narration explains the tale, so it’s semi-necessary. And pretty helpful.

As good as this presentation was, I do have a few small issues with it. One is that, despite it ending exactly when we were told it would, (which I really appreciate!,) the last twenty minutes (no exaggeration) seemed like they were the ending. A few of us began to clap at several junctures, thinking it was over, but then it kept on continuing. (I was a member of a very polite audience, which I enjoyed being a part of. )

Another matter is that I wish that the important role of the snake had been portrayed a bit more creatively than as simply a series of cardboard boxes, with “eyes” on the biggest one. I have a feeling that went along with the theme of caring for the earth, (because cardboard boxes are easily reused and recycled,) but I expected something a bit more visually interesting than that.

Also, I absolutely do not want to see an assault rifle in a dance show!!! (Or anywhere, actually.) The theatre’s website said that Jungle Book reimagined is appropriate for ages 8 and up, but I would not be happy for any children to witness that section of the action. Heck, I wish that I had not seen that part!

But the worst offense for both my friend and me was the darkness of the lighting. I understand the artistic choice, (and have seen it in other theatricals on occasion,) but I hate that effect. It hurts my eyes and puts me to sleep. It was so dark on the stage that it made me want to shine a flashlight up there, so I could make-out what was happening! All but one dancer wore the same outfit, so in that darkness, I was a bit confused most of the time.

When the light came on in Act II for a minute, it was a revelation. But then it went back to dark again. I don’t know how shows can make the stage lighter while still achieving the mood they’re going for, though—in college I dated my lighting professor, (and got and A, I might add,) rather than actually learning something. (And no, I did not sleep with him, and we’re still friends to this day!)

Despite those few peccadilloes of Jungle Book reimagined, I always love when an entertainment reminds me of good memories of something in my life, and in this case, I had a couple of those moments, (even more than of my ecology minor days, and of one of the professors I dated. Yes, there was more than one. Sue me.)

Here are two fun memories the show inspired in me:

At one point in the narrative, an elephant asked something about how many humans have elephants met. Well, guess what? I know at least five pachyderms that have met me because when I was in the circus, I shared a tent with them! Somehow, I didn’t think it was unusual at the time.

Towards the end, raging water was stunningly portrayed by a wide sheet of material that some of the dancers dramatically waved with perfection. That was a tiny bit reminiscent of my first pro acting job in New York, where three of us did something similar, (only really badly.) I just wish that I had seen Jungle Book reimagined first because theirs is amaster class in how to do it!

All in all, the Akram Khan Company appears to be a very creative troupe, whom I would love to see again, especially at the BroadStage.

That’s because that venue made the entire experience extra fun. Jungle Book reimagined ran for two nights and an afternoon last week-end, and each one featured different interesting pre-show festivities. The day that Nina and I went, there were fabulous giant puppets walking around the plaza in front of the theatre. Standing next to them, I felt like Nick Cannon on The Masked Singer! There were other puppets, as well, all provided by Animal Cracker Conspiracy, LA Guild of Puppetry, and Rogue Artists Ensemble.

There was also a give-away wheel, and yours truly won tickets to another one of their offerings. (You should check-out their site at the bottom of this review, and maybe we’ll choose to see the same show!) I’m happy about that opportunity because I always enjoy that venue. And this time I learned that the BroadStage has excellent high sight-lines from the back few rows at this theatre! That was a pleasure.

It’s too late for you to see Akram Khan Company’s Jungle Book reimagined, but I suggest you check-out the rest of the theatre’s sked right here: www.broadstage.org.