The production will begin performances at the Pleasance Theatre from the 25th May.
HighRise Theatre has today announced casting for The Concrete Jungle, which will play at London’s Pleasance Theatre from the 25th May until the 11th June.
Written and directed by Dominic Garfield (Merryville, Big Foot, Sandpits Avenue and (upcoming) The UK Drill Project) with Assistant Director Fahd Shaft, the production is set to star Joseph RA Lindsay (as Bagheera) Michael Mbozo (as Kaa, Hitman, Matthew) Che Campbell (as Jeff, Luke, Sniper) Che Gordon (as Trevor/Tyler/Clipse) Jack Boal (as Pete, Sticky Nicky, Louie Slippaz), Nicky Rose Roshini (as Mo(wgli)) Lauryn Louise (as Miss Matthews, Manic, Dotty) and Lesley Rietta Cobbina (as Balloo).
An explosive and energetic hip hop musical which catapults Rudyard Kipling’s classic story into inner-city Britain with live rap music, grime, reggae, spoken word and big personality.
As the jungle’s trees become tower blocks, Mo(wgli) navigates her way through relationships, unstable housing conditions and hostile creatures, trying to find the parental figures she has always longed for.
Libby Liburd Producer of The Concrete Jungle Book says: “The original production was created in collaboration with young people from CentrePoint, many displaced from their home countries, who shared their lived experiences of homelessness in London. The additional insight from the NewGens has helped to shape the production into what it is today. NewGens are an incredibly talented collective of professional young artists, challenging the status quo of the current theatre landscape. It is ultimately their story, spoken in their language, with their voice. We can’t wait to share their incredible talents; they really are the future of British theatre.”
The musical features original Music written by Dominic Garfield, Duncan ‘Soulecta’ Burton and KZ with additional music contributed by Assistant Musical Director, Jack D’Arcy.
Writer Dominic Garfield Says: “Growing up, I always related to the character of Mowgli. As an adult I began to understand the intricacies of the character on a whole new level; The ferrall child, misunderstood by most, exploited by others & always trying to catch a break. The book is dark & explores these themes much further than the colorful Disney version. My mission was to blend the colourful with the dark, creating an honest portrayal of what it means to be forced to understand the streets in London as a young person & search for guidance & security in all the wrong places”.
Tickets for The Concrete Jungle Book are available to buy now.