The National Theatre’s new stage production of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved family tale The Jungle Book has announced further details including casting and dates.
The Jungle Book will run at the National Theatre’s Olivier stage over Christmas 2026, playing from 13 November 2026 to 6 February 2027.
Adapted by Anupama Chandrasekhar (The Father and the Assassin), this new play will be directed by the National’s artistic director Indhu Rubasingham.
The cast of The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book is set to star acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning actor Hiran Abeysekera (Hamlet, Life of Pi) as Mowgli.
He will be 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.
Further casting is to be announced.
“A beautiful and adventurous story”
Indhu Rubasingham said in a statement that it was “wonderful to be reuniting with Anupama for her new play”, and that the production will reframe Kipling’s tale by “setting it in the mangroves of the Sundarbans region of India”.
“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”, she said.
Puppetry for the production will be by Lume: Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell.
The wider creative team includes set and costume designs by Rajha Shakiry, movement direction by Finn Caldwell, composer Fernando Velázquez, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, sound design by Benjamin Grant, casting by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG and Martin Poile CDG, voice coaching by Cathleen McCarron, associate direction by John Young, associate puppetry direction by Scarlet Wilderink, associate puppet design by Caroline Bowman and associate set design by Ruth Hall.
Plan your visit
- Theatre: National Theatre (Olivier Theatre), London
- Dates: 13 November 2026 to 6 February 2027
- Tickets: On sale soon, visit our The Jungle Book show hub for further information.
National Theatre - Olivier Theatre, London
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