Initial casting revealed for 'The Jungle Book' at the National Theatre

Set in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, The Jungle Book follows young child Mowgli, who is being raised among wolves. But danger stalks the shadows and to protect his family, Mowgli must discover where it is he truly belongs.

Hiran Abeysekera will star as Mowgli in Anupama Chandrasekhar’s new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. National Theatre artistic director Indhu Rubasingham will direct the production, which runs during the festive season from 13 November to 6 February 2027 on the Olivier stage.

Abeysekera is joined by Sarah Amankwah, Darcy Braimoh, Sebastian Charles, Laura Cubitt, Fred Davis, Ayesha Dharker, Ali Goldsmith, Romina Hytten, Tony Jayawardena, Avye Leventis, Kel Matsena, Sifiso Mazibuko and Jordan Metcalfe.

Rubasingham, said: "It’s wonderful to be reuniting with Anupama for her new play as she reframes Kipling’s beloved tale. Setting it in the mangroves of the Sundarbans region of India gifts us such a rich environment to turn the Olivier theatre in a real theatrical event with extraordinary puppetry and performances at its heart. The Jungle Book is a beautiful and adventurous story about family, identity and belonging, I can’t wait for audiences to experience this thrilling new play."

Set in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, The Jungle Book follows young child Mowgli, who is being raised among wolves. But danger stalks the shadows and to protect his family, Mowgli must discover where it is he truly belongs.

The rest of the creative team has puppetry by Lume: Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, with set and costume designer Rajha Shakiry, movement director Finn Caldwell, composer Fernando Velázquez, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, sound designer Benjamin Grant, and voice coach Cathleen McCarron.

Further casting is to be announced.

Check back for The Jungle Book tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Hiran Abeysekera. (Photo by Chris Burgess)