New staging of THE JUNGLE BOOK to open at the National Theatre

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 18 March, 2026, 14:35

A new production of The Jungle Book will open at the National Theatre this Christmas, based on the classic and beloved stories of Rudyard Kipling. New details and casting have just been announced.

Illustration by Chervelle Fryer. Art direction and design by National Theatre Graphic Design Studio.

Anupama Chandrasekhar's (The Father and the Assassin) new play adapts the story of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Young Mowgli grows up in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, a wild child raised by the animals of the jungle, taught the ancient ways of the Law of the Jungle, and forced to confront the dangers that threaten his family and his home.

The Jungle Book is directed by the venue’s artistic director Indhu Rubasingham, with design by Rajha Shakiry, movement direction by Caldwell, music by Fernando Velázquez, lighting by Oliver Fenwick and sound by Benjamin Grant.

Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (The Father and the Assassin) will play Mowgli. He is joined in the cast 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.

Most excitingly, the production features puppetry by Lume’s Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, with puppets bringing to life the animals of this beloved story, like Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan, Kaa, and others.

Chandrasekhar is part of a studio programme at the National Theatre supported by the Chanel Culture Fund, which supports international artist residencies at the National Theatre Studio.

Recommended for ages seven and upwards, The Jungle Book will run in the Olivier Theatre from 13 November 2026 to 6 February 2027, with a press performance on 24 November.

The Jungle Book Tickets