DANZSt James Theatre
Wellington
24 February 2024
Choreography & Direction: Akram Khan
Script: Tariq Jordan
Dramaturgy: Sharon Clark
Score: Jocelyn Pook
Sound Design: Gareth Fry
Visual Stage Design: Miriam Buether
Lighting: Michael Hulls
Video Design & Animation: YeastCulture
Reviewed by Brigitte Knight
All photographs by Nick George
Akram Khan’s Jungle Book reimagined is the third time Aotearoa New Zealand audiences have had the opportunity to experience his work, following iTMOi (in the mind of igor) in 2015 and the magnificent Giselle for English National Ballet in 2018. Jungle Book reimagined steps more firmly into the territory of dance theatre, with a small cast of ten company dancers realising the choreographer’s reimagining of Rudyard Kipling’s collection of stories. The production is sculpted by script and narrative arc, developed alongside dramaturge Sharon Clark and scriptwriter Tariq Jordan.
“…A child, separated from its family, ends up in a deserted city; one that wild animals have claimed as their own...”
Set in a (very near) dystopian future of environmental catastrophe, societal collapse, martial law, climate refugees, and rising water Khan efficiently evokes the subliminal tension of the timelines of our lives unfolding in parallel with climate crisis via news bulletin soundbites transiting the audience from preshow to performance as the houselights dim. Visionary and brilliant animation by YeastCulture is the masterstroke in this production; multi-layered proscenium-height projection integrates cast and line-drawn characters flawlessly, creating an immersive and captivating 3D world rich in emotion and dramatic detail.
Khan’s visceral choreography and holistic vision for theatrical activation reveal themselves in some powerful scenes; the opening juxtaposition of a slowly rising curtain with near-imperceptibly bending dancers, the choreographer’s intelligent and idiomatic blend of contemporary, Indian classical Kathak, and elements of hip hop (breaking, pop-locking, liquid and digits, krump) movement vocabularies, and the rich, rhythm-driven ensemble unison choreography when the text stops and Jocelyn Pook’s poignant and impactful score stands alone. Physical characterisation through animalistic movement delivered with accuracy and attack by the skilled cast of dancers is another Khan signature, and is especially evident amongst the lead characters Akela, Bagheera, and the bombastic Baloo. Emotional resonance and narrative propulsion are realised through YeastCulture’s animation which is especially effective and vital in connecting the audience with Mowgli and her mother.
Jungle Book reimagined is a dark work, both figuratively with its grim subject matter, and literally with uniform, unchanging costumes and bleak lighting states. The recorded text facilitates fully realised choreography for the dancers, but is loud, cartoonish and at times delivered in the frenetic style of a children’s tv show, meaning that by the end of Act 1 pauses in the text come as a relief. Jungle Book reimagined encapsulates the heart-breaking truth that humanity has separated ourselves from nature, and for the decimation of the natural world we are to blame. The delivery of its message may feel a little too shallow and one-note for adults, but possibly lacks the contrast required to captivate children. Overall the work is entertaining and bold, especially when the choreography, animation and music are featured free from text.
Note: There was no programme or cast list for this season of Jungle Book reimagined. Production credits have been sourced online.
All photographs by Nick George
Video: Jungle Book reimagined Trailer