SCRIPT

Act one – Prologue

Ensemble on stage in position, ideally at a variety of levels suggestive of jungle living.

somewhere in the jungle

Somewhere in the jungle,

Through the branches and vines,

Came a little man-cub,

Only one of his kind.

Under the canopy,

He made his way,

He made his way.

Up to a little cave,

And there wolves lay.

And there wolves lay.

Somewhere in the jungle.

Somewhere in the jungle.

Raised among the wolf pack,

For a decade or more.

Cherished by his mother,

He was loved and adored.

And at the Council Rock,

He took his place,

He took his place.

But there were some who never

Liked his face,

Liked his face.

Somewhere in the jungle.

Somewhere in the jungle.

Somewhere in the jungle

Somewhere in the jungle

Scene change music: “Somewhere In The Jungle (Interlude)”

act one, scene one

As the song comes to an end, Chil, a small Indian kite, remains, sitting on a tree branch. After a while, Bill enters.

Chil You took your time. What kept you?

Bill I … er … stopped off for a drink.

Chil More than one, I imagine, whilst I’m stuck here with this brood.

She stands up to show some eggs that she has been sitting on.

Bill Shall I take over?

Chil Don’t be ridiculous, you’d probably crack them. Just sit and talk to me. Tell me what’s been going on. Is the man-cub still with us?

Bill Is he ever! There’s no missing him, he’s a right chatterbox and no mistake: chat chat chat, even when nobody’s listening. He just goes on and on and on. It’s infuriating.

Chil I can only imagine.

Bill The bear says he’s pretty smart, though. He even found him making the Red Flower.

Chil No! Not the Red Flower. He’ll turn our jungle to ash.

Bill The bear says he can control it.

Chil Nothing controls it. Only the wind that drives it and the rain that puts it out. He’ll be the death of us all.

Bill I’m sure the bear has him under wraps.

Chil Ha. I wouldn’t be so sure about that.

Baloo enters, followed by a number of young wolves/wolf cubs. They sit opposite him noisily as today’s lesson begins.

Baloo Settle down. We’ve got a lot to get through today.

The wolves settle themselves as Baloo takes a roll call.

Baloo White paw?

White Paw Here Baloo.

Baloo Black stripe?

Black Stripe Here Baloo.

Baloo Slightly grey nose with a couple of freckles?

Slightly (grey nose with a couple of freckles) Here Baloo.

Baloo Patch?

Patch Here Baloo.

Baloo Spritely

Spritely Atchoo Baloo.

Baloo Bless you. Fleck?

Fleck Here Baloo.

Baloo Howler?

Howler Arh-woooooooooooooooo.

Baloo Right, so you’re definitely here then. Mowgli? (pause) Mowgli?

White Paw He’s … erm … just … he’s …

Baloo Late. As usual.

Mowgli enters at a pace.

Baloo You’re late.

Mowgli I’m sorry. The monkey people were telling me all about …

Baloo (interrupting) The monkey people? The Bandar-log?

Mowgli Yes. They were telling me about …

Baloo (interrupting again) You spoke with the Bandar-log!

Mowgli Um … no … I didn’t.

Baloo You didn’t speak with them?

Mowgli No.

Baloo Good.

Mowgli I listened to them. They’re fascinating. They stand on their feet, as I do. And they play all day: they don’t have to have lessons.

Baloo (abruptly) Enough! We will talk about this later. Right now, we have far more important things to do. This morning we will continue learning the Hunting Verse. Who thinks they can remember it?

Fleck I do, I do.

Baloo Really, Fleck? What a pleasant surprise. Go on then, off you go.

Fleck Move healthily, and keep your twits about you.

The other wolves laugh.

Baloo Oh dear.

Spritely That’s not it! Why would you keep twits about you?

Fleck So they get eaten first of course.

Howler In which case, I’m definitely going hunting with you.

Baloo It’s ‘wits’, not ‘twits’. And it’s ‘stealthily’, not ‘healthily’.

Fleck Oh.

Mowgli (distracted) Can anyone else hear the monkeys?

Spritely Of course we can hear the monkeys. We can even hear the wildebeest on the plains beyond the jungle.

Mowgli They’re very chatty today. I wonder what they’re discussing now?

Baloo Nonsense. That’s all they ever discuss. Forget the monkeys, we’re learning the Hunting Verse.

Mowgli But it’s so easy. I want to see what the monkeys are doing.

Baloo If it’s so easy, then let’s hear it.

Mowgli Okay, simple.

Baloo The full version.

Mowgli The full version?

Baloo (earnestly) The full version.

Mowgli gulps before proceeding, hesitantly to begin with, then with growing confidence.

Mowgli “Feet that make no noise; eyes that can see in the dark; ears that can hear the winds in their lairs, and sharp white teeth, all these things are the mark of our brothers except Tabaqui the Jackal and the Hyena whom we hate.”

As he comes to the end, the young wolves cheer and clap supportively.

Fleck That was amazing, Mowgli.

Mowgli Thanks.

Bagheera the panther comes forward. He has been watching and listening unnoticed.

Bagheera Yes, very impressive, Mowgli.

Everyone turns sharply to see him. The young wolves are slightly wary and fidget or move slightly away, but Mowgli remains relaxed.

Bagheera But it’s one thing to know it, and a very different thing to practice it.

Mowgli I have practised it.

Bagheera No, to get it right: to live by it, to survive by it.

Mowgli Oh Bagheera, you do worry so. Haven’t you seen me climb recently? Haven’t you see seen me swim?

Bagheera I have, yes. And every day you climb a little higher and you swim a little faster. And every day my concern for you grows.

Mowgli Grows? Ha! That doesn’t even make sense. Worry about my brothers if you need someone to worry about. I can look after myself.

Leader Of the pack

I’ve learned to swim the rivers,

To climb the highest trees.

Nobody else can swing like me.

I know the rotten branches,

And all the stinging bees,

Know when to run and when to freeze.

And I know that I was born a little diff’rent,

And the difference is clear for all to see.

I’ll be the leader of the pack,

I’ll be the leader of the tribe.

I’ve clearly got the knack,

I barely even have to try.

So follow in my tracks,

You’ll be on the winning side.

The jungle’s never seen someone like me,

So join me for the ride.

I’ve learned to tame the fire,

To see the traps of men,

Beat anybody in a stare.

I know the hunting verses,

Which plants to eat or leave,

How to get honey for a bear.

And I know that I was born a little diff’rent,

And the difference is clear for all to see.

I’ll be the leader of the pack,

I’ll be the leader of the tribe.

I’ve clearly got the knack,

I barely even have to try.

So follow in my tracks,

You’ll be on the winning side.

The jungle’s never seen someone like me,

So join me for the ride.

Leader of the pack.

Leader of the pack.

Leader of the pack.

Leader of the pack.

Mowgli ends the song in an elevated position and looking triumphant and very pleased with himself. As it finishes, Raksha, the mother wolf, enters and sees Mowgli showing off.

Raksha Mowgli, what do you think you’re doing?

Mowgli Oh, mother. I was just …

Raksha Go home. Now. I don’t want to hear another peep out of you. If you really believe you have learned everything, then clearly you have learned nothing.

Mowgli But mother …

Raksha (firmly) Go.

Mowgli exits, head down and embarrassed both by the telling-off and by his behaviour.

Raksha The rest of you can go too. Your father will be home soon, I imagine he will have something for you.

The young wolves exit.

Raksha I’m guessing that wasn’t a one-off?

Bagheera Sadly not. I’m sorry to say, but it was inevitable. He’s only human, after all.

Raksha I worry more about him now than I did when he was a baby. Especially now that Akela is getting old. The other wolves may not be so … inclusive.

Baloo I’m sure they won’t. But we’ll find a way. There’s always a way. Come on, I’m hungry.

Bagheera You’re always hungry.

They start to leave.

Baloo Yes, but right now I’m especially hungry.

Bagheera You’re always especially hungry. When have you ever not been especially hungry?

Baloo Well, there was this one time, I think I must have been seven or eight, and I’d been on a fishing trip with my dad. We’d been travelling for days when we stumbled into a lake. Literally right into it. Well, trust me when I tell you that there were more fish in this lake than leaves on the trees …

He continues telling his anecdote as they leave, keeping it going right until they are off the stage and out of hearing.

Suggested scene change music: “Shere Khan (Interlude)”

Act one, Scene two

The wolf pack are gathered, waiting. Wolf One enters.

Luna What news, brother?

Shadow I can barely bring myself to say it … Akela has missed his kill.

All the wolves react with shock, perhaps some ad-libbing.

Fang So what now? What happens next?

Shadow We know what happens next. We cannot be led by a wolf that has missed his kill. We’ll be a laughing stock.

Shere Khan moves in, along with Tabaqui the Jackal. The wolves turn to see him and group together.

Shere Khan You are already a laughing stock … ever since that man-cub was allowed among you.

Ember Ha, that’s rich coming from a lame tiger.

Shadow On your way, Shere Khan, you’re out of bounds.

Tabaqui Oh, haven’t you heard? The great Shere Khan has shifted his hunting grounds. He will hunt among these hills for the next moon.

Koda He can’t, not without due warning.

Shere Khan You want a warning? I’ll give you a warning: get rid of the man-cub. Give him to me, let me rid you of one of your problems.

Zephyr We can’t; he’s one of us.

Shere Khan One of you! Ha. He will rule you one day. Imagine that! A wolf pack led by a man-cub.

Tabaqui Oh the shame.

Shere Khan (to Tabaqui) It is indeed shameful, isn’t it! But it’s not all their fault. Akela is to blame mostly. The rest of them have just allowed it to happen, following along like sheep.

Tabaqui Like little fluffy woolly sheep.

Shadow (angered) Hey! Quiet, dish-licker.

Shere Khan (to the wolves) So what are you? Are you sheep? Are you men? Or are you wolves?

Wolves We’re wolves!

We are wolves

Confident and self-assured,

Howling in the dark.

Waiting for the moon to rise

Then the singing starts.

Chasing through the undergrowth,

Scratching at the trees.

Noses up, we’ve caught the scent

Drifting on the breeze.

W O L V E S

We are wolves W O L V E S

W O L V E S

We are wolves W O L V E S

We are not your average mutts,

Tame and pacified,

Always working as a pack

Keeps us all alive.

Canine kings and no mistake,

Noble, strong and true.

Don’t you under-estimate

What a wolf can do.

W O L V E S

We are wolves W O L V E S

W O L V E S

We are wolves W O L V E S

We are wolves

Scene change music plays: “We Are Wolves (Interlude)” as Shere Khan exits with Tabaqui. The wolves look at each other, then gradually, one by one, follow off after Shere Khan.

act one, Scene Three

Chil and Bill as before.

Chil My bottom’s getting numb.

Bill Do you want me to give it a rub?

Chil No I do not! Keep your wings to yourself.

Bill About ready to crack, I imagine.

Chil Yes, I am. It’s driving me mad, just sitting here all day.

Bill I meant the eggs, actually.

Chil Oh.

We hear Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera entering, talking as they go. Mowgli is carrying a fire-pot. Chil and Bill turn their attention towards them.

Bagheera If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times, I don’t want to see you messing about with the red flower.

Mowgli I’m not messing about. I can control it. Can’t I Baloo?

Baloo Yes, seemingly.

Mowgli The Bandar-log were very impressed. They want me to teach them how to make it.

Bagheera Don’t you dare! I mean it. Promise me.

Mowgli Okay, okay, I promise.

(pause) The Monkey-People don’t get cross with me. The Monkey-People gave me nuts and nice things to eat. And they carried me up to the top of the trees and said I was their blood-brother and that I should be their leader one day.

Bagheera They think something one day and forget it the next. They boast and chatter and pretend they are a great people, but they are shameless and selfish. Don’t trust a word they say to you.

Baloo They’re desperate to be noticed: throwing sticks and nuts, and howling and shrieking senseless songs.

Bagheera Which is why we ignore them.

Mowgli You mean I can’t even talk with them?

Baloo They only talk gibberish: why would you want to talk gibberish?

Mowgli What’s gibberish? Is it is a special language? Can you talk it?

Bagheera He certainly can. He talks it very well.

Baloo I do not!

Bagheerea In fact, most animals talk it some of the time.

Mowgli Then I want to as well.

Bagheera Don’t worry, you do.

Baloo Ignore him, Mowgli: gibberish means nonsense. Now, forget the monkeys: there are plenty of other animals you can talk with. In fact, your survival in the jungle depends on how well you do learn to talk with them. Even the snakes.

Mowgli Snakes?

Baloo Yes, snakes, birds, the wild elephants. Learn to talk with them all. You never know when you might need their help. Or when they might need yours.

Mowgli I already know the Strangers’ Hunting Call.

Baloo Of course you know it: I taught it to you. But you’ve still got a lot left to learn.

Music starts and Baloo, Bagheera, Chil, Bill and the ensemble sing to Mowgli.

Tongues Of The Jungle

Learn to talk in the tongues of the jungle

And whisper the words of the wilds.

While dangers abound,

There’s clues in the sounds

That’ll help you stay alive.

With your enemies near

You can minimise your fear

Of the jungle.

Learn to talk in the tongues of the jungle

And whisper the words of the wilds.

When there’s eyes in the shrubs

You’re about to be lunch

If you don’t know the jungle cries.

With your enemies near

You can minimise your fear,

Though it’s perfectly clear

You’d be wise to take a spear.

There’s hissing and howling

And grunting and growling

And there’s bleating and buzzing

And chirping and chuckling.

When you’re human and you live beneath the trees,

You’d better learn to speak some junglese.

In the jungle.

Learn to talk in the tongues of the jungle

And whisper the words of the wilds.

Keep an ear to the ground

As your eyes look around

And the noises fill the skies.

With your enemies near

You can minimise your fear

Though it’s perfectly clear

You’d be wise to take a spear.

In the jungle. In the jungle. In the jungle.

Suggested playout music: “Tongues Of The Jungle (Interlude)” as the ensemble exit.

Act One, Scene Four

The ensemble exit. Mowgli (still with the fire-pot), Baloo and Bagheera move over to beneath a tree and settle down for a midday nap. Mowgli is positioned between the two others. Chil and Bill remain as before.

Chil Ahh, would you look at that!

Bill It’s all that singing. No wonder they’re tired.

Chil It’s lovely, isn’t it.

Bill Well, I’ve heard better.

Chil Not the singing. Them. Who would have thought it? A bear, a panther and a man-cub together. You don’t see that every day.

Bill Actually I do. Well, most days. They’re always together.

Chil You’re heartless, you are. You haven’t got a sentimental bone in your body.

Bill A few mice ones though. I tried to avoid them, but you know how it is.

Chil sees three monkeys enter on an elevated part of the stage.

Chil Shh, here comes trouble.

The monkeys stop, ideally elevated, to finalise their plans. Throughout the conversation, Monkey Three seems almost to be having a different conversation to the others.

Bongo There he is.

Samba Which one is he again?

Zippy Does anyone have any nuts?

Bongo He’s the one without claws.

Samba The furry one?

Zippy I could really go some nuts.

Bongo The one that looks a bit like you.

Samba What do I look like?

Zippy I wish I’d had a bigger breakfast.

Bongo Let’s try to wake him up.

Samba I’ll throw some nuts at him.

Zippy So you DO have nuts!

Bongo No, don’t do that, you might wake the others.

Samba Why don’t we just grab him?

Zippy Does that mean I can have the nuts?

Bongo Look, will you just shut up about the stupid nuts!

Monkeys Two and Three react with undiluted shock.

Zippy How dare you!

Samba Did you really just call nuts stupid?

Zippy Some days I really don’t think I know you.

Samba It’s not the nuts’ fault. They’re not the stupid ones.

Zippy Precisely. What did the poor nuts ever do to you?

Bongo Alright, I’m sorry.

Zippy If you’re sorry then give me some nuts.

Bongo I haven’t got any. He’s got them.

Samba I’m not sure I have, actually. I think I may have dropped them on route.

Zippy Really? Well let’s go and look for them.

Samba Okay.

They start to move away.

Bongo Wait! What about the man-cub?

Zippy How can he look for them? He’s asleep.

Bongo I know he’s asleep. We need to get him, remember. We’re meant to be capturing him so that he can weave sticks together to protect us from the wind.

Zippy Oh yes. Come on then, let’s grab him.

Before Monkey One can do anything to stop them, Monkey Three and Monkey Two grab hold of Mowgli and ‘lift’ him up and away. Monkey One watches on in shock.

Mowgli Hey! What’s going on?

Before Mowgli has the chance to call out further, he is hurried off.

Bongo Well I’m a monkey’s uncle.

He exits after them as Baloo and Bagheera sit up, suddenly aware that all is not as it should be.

Bagheera Mowgli!

Baloo (panicked) Where is he?

Chil (calling over) They took him. The nutty ones.

Bagheera The Bandar-log! After them, Chil, mark their trail.

Chil I can’t. I’m otherwise engaged. Bill will go.

Baloo Which way did they go?

Bagheera That way. I can hear them. Come on.

They exit quickly.

Chil Go on, Bill, after them.

Bill I’m still digesting.

Chil Just go, will you!

Bill Alright, I’m going, I’m going.

Bill exits after Mowgli et al. complaining as he leaves.

Bill It’s do this and do that, get me this, follow the monkeys that.

He leaves as Chil shakes her head despairingly.

Chil (to audience) Honestly, I’ve met slugs with more gumption.

Suggested scene change music: “We Are Wolves (Interlude)”

act one, scene five

At the Council Rock, Akela, Raksha, Father Wolf, a couple of additional grown wolves and the younger wolves are sat, clearly waiting for something.

Shere Khan, Tabaqui and a number of wolves enter as one.

Akela So, it has come to this. I have missed my kill and the leadership of the pack is open. Yet here you come with a tiger at your head.

Luna Better a tiger than a man-cub.

Raksha In all but looks, that man-cub is one of us. The same cannot be said for the cattle-killer, Shere Khan.

Shere Khan Call me what you like, I have heard worse. (gesturing to Akela) This toothless fool’s time is up. But I am in no rush to take his place. Give me the man-cub and he may remain for the time being.

Akela I don’t need your permission to remain in position. I may be old, but I am not about to step aside to any of these cowards, these eaters of cattle.

Shadow You made us a laughing-stock.

Akela I made us stronger. I taught you to open your minds. Yet now you have closed them once more.

Fang A man has no place with us.

Shere Khan Where is he? Let him speak for himself.

Luna Why are you hiding him?

Father Wolf We are not hiding him. He would be as safe out here with us as he would in hiding. We would give our lives for him.

Tabaqui enters, breathless.

Tabaqui Shere Khan, I have news.

Shere Khan What news?

Tabaqui He isn’t here. The man-cub isn’t here.

Shere Khan I know he’s not here. Do you think I’m stupid. He’s probably with the bear.

Tabaqui He’s not: he’s with the Monkey-people. They’ve taken him.

Raksha Taken him!

Tabaqui They’ve carried him off. I don’t know where.

Raksha (upset) Mowgli.

Shere Khan Then what are you waiting for? If he’s with the monkeys then he’s not with the bear or the panther.

Tabaqui They’re tracking him.

Shere Khan Of course they are. But not the way a tiger does. Come on.

Shere Khan exits with Tabaqui and the wolves with which he entered.

Father Wolf (to Raksha) I’ll find him.

Spritely We can help, father.

Howler I’ll howl my very loudest if I see him. Arh-woooooooooooooooooooooo.

Father Wolf Stay safely with your mother: that will help. We don’t want to lose any more of you.

Older Wolf We’ll help though. We work as a pack, remember.

Father Wolf Always.

Father Wolf and a few other wolves exit, leaving Akela, Raksha and the younger wolves. Music begins.

whisper on the breeze

Raksha

By the light of the moon I can see for miles

Across the trees to the other side.

Something stirs and I sense he’s there.

Still my child, still under my care.

And I’ll whisper on the breeze and

Call to him, call to him,

And hope it carries him home.

Every breath of the warm,

Scented night-time air,

Holds a clue that you’re somewhere there.

Never lost always in my heart

Still my cub, though we’re miles apart.

And I’ll whisper on the breeze and

Call to him, call to him

And hope it carries him home.

I’ll whisper on the breeze and

Call to him, call to him,

And hope it carries him home.

Only a boy,

So much to learn.

Whisper on the breeze and

Call to him, call to him

And hope it carries him home.

I’ll whisper on the breeze and

Call to him, call to him,

And hope it carries him home.

act two, scene one

Kaa, the Rock Python, is stretched out on a warm ledge in the afternoon sun.

Ikki, the porcupine, enters and slowly moves this way and that, nibbling at plants and tree-bark.

Kaa watches her for a while, unnoticed.

Kaa I could eat you if I wanted to.

Ikki stops momentarily, looks up and sees Kaa, then ignores him and carries on nibbling.

Kaa Your quills make you presumptuous.

Ikki stops and looks at him for a moment, then speaks bluntly and without fear.

Ikki I don’t know what that means.

Ikki turns away and continues nibbling.

Kaa I’m not saying I’d enjoy eating you. And quite frankly it would barely be worth the effort. But if I wanted to, I could.

Ikki I’ll keep it in mind.

He continues, unbothered.

Kaa (shocked) The cheek! The bare-faced cheek!

(to himself/audience) I think it’s time to teach this prickly little porcupine a prickly little lesson.

(calling over) Oh porcupine.

Ikki ignores him.

Kaa (calling again more forcefully) Oh porcupine!

Finally the porcupine turns to look at Kaa, who is staring fixedly at him as music starts.

Kaa Aha! I’ve got you now.

The ensemble join Kaa and Ikki on stage as music starts.

Snake Eyes

Don’t ever look into a snake’s eyes,

How mesmerising they can be.

Cos if you look into a snake’s eyes,

They’re the final thing you’ll see.

Don’t ever look into a snake’s eyes,

They’re there to hypnotise you

And then immobilise your feet,

Cos when you look into a snake’s eyes,

They’re seeing meat.

Snake eyes, hypnotising.

Snake eyes, mesmerising.

Snake eyes, terrorising me.

Don’t ever look into a snake’s eyes,

They’re memorising what they see.

So if you look into a snake’s eyes,

You’ll be known eternally.

Don’t ever look into a snake’s eyes,

They’re there to neutralise you,

To revolutionise your life,

So never look into a snake’s eyes,

Don’t roll those dice.

Snake eyes, hypnotising.

Snake eyes, mesmerising.

Snake eyes, terrorising me.

Snake eyes, hypnotising.

Snake eyes, mesmerising.

Snake eyes, terrorising me.

Hypnotising, mesmerising, terrorising me.

Playout music: “Snake Eyes (Interlude)”

By the end of the song, Kaa is curled fully around Ikki and ready to squeeze when Baloo enters with Bagheera.

Baloo Good hunting, Kaa.

Kaa turns towards the voice.

Kaa Good hunting for us all, Baloo. Good hunting, Bagheera.

Bagheera It looks like we’ve caught you in the middle of something.

Kaa This? Not at all. Just passing the time of day.

Baloo So you’re not hungry then?

Kaa Hungry? I’m as empty as a dried well. But not so hungry that I’d eat this … (with disdain) porcupine.

He releases Ikki, who scurries off as quickly as possible without a backward glance.

Bagheera Have pickings been slim?

Kaa It’s the branches: they’re not what they were when I was young. Rotten twigs and dry boughs. I came very near to falling on my last hunt.

Baloo Surely not!

Kaa I was only after a young ape. Nothing fancy. And the noise of my slipping waked the Bandar-log, and they called me the most evil names.

Bagheera Footless, yellow earthworm.

Kaa I beg your pardon!

Bagheera Their words, not mine. We heard them at the last moon.

Baloo That’s right. And what did they say about him having lost all of his teeth and that he wouldn’t face anything bigger than a young buck?

Bagheera They said he had lost all of his teeth and that he wouldn’t face anything bigger than a young buck.

Baloo That’s right, that’s exactly what they said. I was shocked.

Bagheera I wasn’t in the least.

Kaa I beg your pardon!

Bagheera It’s exactly the sort of nonsense I would expect from a troop of palm-leaf pickers who even have the audacity to steal-away our Man-cub.

Kaa They never?

Baloo They did! Lifted him right up as we slept, and carried him off.

Kaa (angry) Why, those vain, foolish, chattering chimps, they’ve gone too far this time. You can’t go around stealing man-cubs! The skies will fall in! And worse still, they called me an earthworm.

Bill the kite enters and finds an elevated position.

Bill Bagheera, I have seen Mowgli. They’ve taken him beyond the river to the monkey city, the Cold Lairs. I have told the bats to watch through the dark-time.

Bagheera The Cold Lair? I feared they might. Come, Baloo, we have half a night’s journey ahead of us at full speed.

Baloo Don’t worry, I’ve recently eaten.

Bagheera In which case, we have a full night’s journey ahead of us.

Baloo I’ll go as fast as I can.

Kaa And so will I.

Bagheera (smiling) I thought you might say that. And I’m very glad you have! (to Bill) Thank you, Bill, you’ve done well. I’ll put aside the head of my next kill for you.

(to the others) Quickly. The monkeys grow tired of the nuts they pick, and they throw them down. We haven’t a second to lose.

They exit. Bill remains, alone.

Bill (pleased with himself) I’ve done well. That’s what he said. I’ve done well! I’ve never done well before. And a tasty head lined up just for me. Well, for me and the family. No, just for me. No, for the family. No, for me.

He exits, still arguing with himself about the fate of the hypothetical meal.

Suggested scene change music if required: “Snake Eyes (Interlude)”

act two, scene two

Chil is sat on her eggs in the nest. She is feeling restless, and begins talking to the eggs.

Chil Well my chicks, he’s late again. You’ll have to get used to that I’m afraid. In fact, however low your expectations are of your father … lower them.

Bill enters with a swagger.

Chil Well look what the cat dragged in. You’re looking rather pleased with yourself.

Bill I’ve got two words for you, my dear. Mission accomplished.

Chil Really?

Bill Yep, I did it: tracked down the Man-cub, avoided the monkeys, instructed the bats and all before dinner.

Chil Well I’ll be.

Bill You’ll be what?

Chil Nothing. I’ll just be.

Bill You’ll just be what.

Chil I’m amazed, that’s all.

Bill And so you should be. There’s more, too. Bagheera promised me the head of his next kill, all to myself.

Chil All to yourself?

Bill Um … well that’s what he said. It wouldn’t do to go against his orders.

Chil Why you cheap, greedy, good-for nothing tyke. The moment you set eyes on that head, you bring it straight back to me: these chicks will be hatching any day.

Bill Yes, dear. Of course.

Chil Good, that’s more like it.

(pause) But well done. I’m proud of you, and I don’t mind who hears it.

Shere Khan, Tabaqui and their wolves enter stealthily.

Shere Khan How very touching.

Bill Tiger!

Shere Khan Ah, so you’re not as stupid as you look.

Tabaqui and the wolves snigger.

Chil Actually he is. But he’s also the finest kite alive.

Bill Ahh, thanks dear.

Tabaqui He’ll be the finest kite dead if you interrupt Shere Khan again. Keep your beaks shut.

Luna Or we’ll shut them permanently.

Chil and Bill close their beaks dramatically.

Shere Khan I’m looking for the Man-cub.

Shadow Mowgli.

Shere Khan (turning angrily) He knows who the man-cub is! There’s only one!

Shadow (sheepish) Of course. I was just clarifying.

Shere Khan (turning back) What do you know of his whereabouts?

Chil His whereabouts?

Bill He means his clothes: the stuff he wears about him. (to Shere Khan) I think he was just wearing a loin cloth. I can’t remember the colour though. Can you remember, Chil?

Shere Khan Quiet! Tell me where the boy is, or I’ll climb straight on up and help myself to those tasty-looking eggs of yours.

Chil You wouldn’t!

Bill I think he would.

Shere Khan And I’m sure in time I could find space for a couple of slightly bigger kites too!

Bill Gulp!

Shere Khan Where is the Man-cub? I’ll give you to a count of five. One.

Chil Don’t say a word, Bill.

Shere Khan Two.

Chil We’re too high for him.

Shere Khan Three.

Chil The branches wouldn’t support his weight.

Shere Khan Four.

Chil The fall might even kill him.

Shere Khan Five.

Bill (panicked) He’s being held prisoner by the monkeys in the Cold Lair. Baloo and Bagheera and the giant snake have gone to rescue him. The bats are watching over the boy at my instruction, and I’ve been promised a whole head to myself, er, for my family.

Pause

Chil Great. Nice one, Bill.

Shere Khan smiles and starts to move off, followed by Tabaqui and the wolves.

Shere Khan Yes, nice one, Bill.

Tabaqui Nice one, Billy boy.

Luna Mowgli’s lucky to have you!

They exit. Pause. Chil turns and stares at Bill in disbelief. He turns and smiles.

Bill (pleased) I know! That’s twice I’ve done well in one day!

Chil hangs her head in despair as the lights go down.

Suggested scene change music: “Shere Khan (Interlude)”

act two, scene three

The Cold Lair – the old deserted city, lost and buried in the jungle.

The stage is full of monkeys, with Mowgli sat at their centre or to one side as preferred.

we’re all monkeys

Some people think we’re crazy,

They think we’re just buffoons,

But look a little closer

And you’ll see we are baboons.

We’re mischievous and manic,

And very keen to please,

We’re always up to something

Cos we’re cheeky chimpanzees.

We’re all monkeys Sitting in the branch of the tree

We’re all monkeys Grooming all the friends you can see

We’re all monkeys Waiting for the jungle to call

We’re all monkeys Living for the thrill of it all.

Swinging through the trees like there’s a better place to be.

We chitter and we chatter,

And talk a lot of sense.

With plenty of opinions

And advice that we dispense.

We’re highly intellectu’l,

With brains the size of nuts.

Yet all the jungle people say

We talk out of our …

We’re all monkeys Sitting in the branch of the tree

We’re all monkeys Grooming all the friends you can see

We’re all monkeys Waiting for the jungle to call

We’re all monkeys Living for the thrill of it all.

Swinging through the trees like there’s a better place to be.

We’re all monkeys Sitting in the branch of the tree

We’re all monkeys Grooming all the friends you can see

We’re all monkeys Waiting for the jungle to call

We’re all monkeys Living for the thrill of it all.

Swinging through the trees like there’s a better place to be.

Peanut Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here, in this mighty city, to …

He stops. He has forgotten why they are all here.

Peanut Hmm. Why are we here again?

Coco I think we’re here for a party.

Bandit I love parties.

Tango We’re not here for a party: we’re here to learn about weaving sticks together from the hairless monkey.

Kong That’s it! That’s why we’re here. Come, boy, weave some sticks.

Mowgli But I haven’t got any sticks.

Coco He hasn’t got any sticks!

Peanut Ah, yes. Well that certainly makes it harder. I wonder what we could do.

Mandrill We could fetch some sticks.

Bandit Or we could have a party.

Peanut Excellent idea. That really is an excellent idea. Arms up all those who would like to have a party with some sticks.

All the monkeys immediately raise their arms and perhaps undertake some improvised chatter.

Echo Will there be nuts?

Swingster There has to be nuts. What kind of a party doesn’t have nuts?

Peanut A very boring one! Off you go, everyone, gather as many nuts as you can possibly eat.

Teeto What about sticks?

Peanut No, don’t eat the sticks, not unless you’re really hungry.

Bongo If we’re really hungry, we could eat pawpaw.

Zippy I’d rather eat nuts.

Samba We could eat pawpaw and nuts at the same time!

Bongo We’d need to have pretty big mouths.

Peanut We do have big mouths. Great idea. Off you go, find nuts and pawpaw for a feast.

All the monkeys head off in different directions, chattering away. Mowgli is left with only a handful of monkeys still nearby. He has the fire-pot with him.

Mowgli They’re crazy. They’re ridiculous. Baloo was right. Oh how foolish I was to ever listen to a word they said. If I am starved or killed here, it will be all my own fault.

Perhaps I should try to escape. But there’s just so many of them. And boy are they are strong.

He pauses and looks up as if towards the moon.

Mowgli Maybe I should relight this fire? It’s still warm. No, it’s getting dark: I should sleep. Then, when they’re all partied out and fall asleep, I’ll steal away. Yes, I’ll outsmart them. I’ll escape.

Mowgli lies down and closes his eyes.

Monkeys scurry here, there and everywhere collecting nuts, pawpaw and sticks.

Meanwhile, lights come up elsewhere on Bagheera, Baloo and Kaa, perhaps somewhere amongst the audience.

Bagheera There’s more of them than I realised.

Kaa I know: it’s wonderful.

Baloo We’re in for quite a battle. They’ll scratch and they’ll bite and they’ll tear until there’s none of them left standing.

Bagheera At least we have the element of surprise.

Kaa We have far more than that.

Bagheera Do we?

Kaa (cryptically) Oh, yes, very much so.

They wait for him to go on. He doesn’t.

Bagheera Right, well that’s good to know. Now, Baloo, why don’t you come in from the east wall? I’ll come in from the west, and Kaa …

Kaa Will do exactly as he pleases. Happy hunting, gentlemen.

Baloo and Bagheera separate and move towards the main stage.

As they get close, a monkey spots Baloo.

Bongo Bear! … Attack!

They all move towards Baloo on one side of the stage, when another monkey spots Bagheera entering on the other side.

Samba Big black cat! … Attack!

All the monkeys change direction comically and move as one towards Bagheera.

Baloo bellows a mighty growl. All the monkeys stop in their tracks and move back towards him, now confused as to where to focus their efforts.

Bagheera Run, Mowgli, whilst they’re distracted.

Mowgli runs towards the edge of the stage.

Coco He’s escaping. Stop him!

Some nearby monkeys attempt to stop Mowgli, but he evades a couple and then Baloo and Bagheera weigh into them. The monkeys all pile in and suddenly Baloo and Bagheera are fighting for their lives.

When all looks at its very bleakest for the two rescuers, music sounds - “SNAKE EYES (INTERLUDE)” - as Kaa makes his way slowly and calmly onto the stage.

The monkeys gradually stop and turn to see him.

Monkeys (ad lib.) Kaa. It’s Kaa. Look, it’s Kaa.

Tango Don’t look at his eyes!

But they cannot help themselves, and one by one find themselves staring at him, entranced, swaying gently to the music.

Kaa Bandar-log, you will not move one step.

Monkeys We will not move one step.

Kaa My word is your command.

Monkeys Your word is our command.

Kaa I can eat as many of you as I like.

Monkeys You can eat as many of us as you like.

Kaa turns to the audience and smiles.

Kaa Hsssssss. Now this is going to be fun.

Music continues as the lights begin to fade and Kaa coils himself around monkey after monkey.

act two, scene four

Mowgli enters, alone in the jungle. It is still night-time and he carries with him the fire-pot from the Cold Lair.

He has been running and now sits, tired, looking around warily.

After a few moments, from all sides, stealthily, Shere Khan’s young wolves enter.

Mowgli stands.

Mowgli Friends. You have found me. Have you been looking for me?

Luna (threateningly) Oh yes, we’ve been looking for you.

The wolves move in on all sides. Mowgli becomes aware that all is not well.

Mowgli Why are you circling me? We are brothers. I was born in the jungle. I have pulled thorns from many of your paws.

Shadow For which we are eternally grateful. But you’re not a wolf …

Blaze You’ll never be a wolf …

Aspen And it’s time for you to leave.

Mowgli Leave? But that’s ridiculous. Leave my family. Leave my mother.

Ghost She’s not your mother.

Mowgli She is my mother! If not, show me who is.

Thunder You don’t belong here. We won’t be led by a Man-cub.

Eclipse (looking offstage) He’s coming.

Mowgli (unsettled) Who’s coming?

Tabaqui enters.

Mowgli Him. Ha. I’m not scared of him. I know he’s a bit crazy but you’ll have to do better than that.

Music begins and Shere Khan enters majestically, purring threateningly.

Shere Khan

In the humming of the tiger purr,

In the cunning of the creep,

Even though he might be lame,

The terror’s just the same,

The humming of the tiger purr.

The predatory prowl,

The grumbling of the growl

The devil’s near. So don’t believe what you hear,

That there’s really nothing to fear

From Shere Khan.

Shere Khan Khan, Khan

Shere Khan Khan, Khan

In the humming of the tiger purr,

Like the strumming of the string,

There’s a tension in the air,

A raising of the hair,

The humming of the tiger purr.

The predatory prowl,

The grumbling of the growl

The devil’s near. So don’t believe what you hear,

That there’s really nothing to fear

From Shere Khan.

Shere Khan Khan, Khan

Shere Khan Khan, Khan

Shere Khan

Shere Khan I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.

Tabaqui Me too!

Shere Khan Ten seasons. And how much bigger you are now. How much more meat there is to you. It will be worth the wait.

Mowgli (nervous, but pretending not to be) Ten seasons!

(to the wolves) Did you hear that? Your mighty leader has been trying to kill me for ten years, and not managed even a scratch on my body.

(to Shere Khan) How feeble. Still, I’d expect nothing less from a lame tiger.

Shere Khan You speak bravely, but your voice betrays your fear.

Tabaqui You’re shaking. Look at him: he’s terrified. But don’t worry, it will all be over very soon.

They all step in towards him. Mowgli holds up his fire-pot to confront them.

Mowgli One more step and I’ll cover you with the red flower.

They all stop, immediately wary.

Mowgli We all know you’ve been singed before, Khan. You still bare the scars.

Tabaqui If you’ve got the red flower in there, then where is the smoke? (to Shere Khan) He’s lying.

Shere Khan You’re lying, boy.

Mowgli Do you think so? Are you willing to take that risk? Are any of you?

Luna I’m not.

Shadow Me neither.

Fang Nor me.

The wolves turn and all start to leave.

Shere Khan Where are you going? Get back here.

Ember This is your fight, Khan. He’s only a boy after all.

Shere Khan Cowards! The lot of you. You’re pathetic.

The wolves stop and turn back towards him.

Koda What did he call us?

Zephyr He called us ‘pathetic’.

Blaze And ‘cowards’. Don’t forget ‘cowards’.

Ember It’s strange: I don’t feel particularly cowardly.

Shadow Me neither. After all, there’s quite a few of us.

Fang And only one of him.

Blaze Not great odds, really.

Aware that trouble is looming, Shere Khan suddenly lunges at Mowgli and gets hold of him.

The wolves stop.

Shere Khan Ha. I knew it. You do care for him. You really are pathetic. Well I don’t care for him: I despise him, and it’s about time the jungle found out how much.

He makes as if to strike Mowgli. Quick as a flash, Mowgli throws the contents of the fire pot into Shere Khan’s face. It is now only embers, but enough to shock and burn him.

Shere Khan lets go of Mowgli who tries to move away but whose path is blocked by Tabaqui. He turns to face Shere Khan.

Shere Khan lets out a mighty roar.

Shere Khan Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

He is about to go in for the kill when a voice comes from off, full of intent, that stops him in his tracks.

Raksha Don’t you dare!

Raksha enters.

Mowgli Mother!

Raksha Mowgli, get behind me.

Mowgli runs to his mother and stands behind her. Music plays softly: “Whisper On The Breeze (Interlude)”

Raksha If you want him, you’ll have to come through me.

Shere Khan Ha. Well that makes it even more worthwhile.

The young wolves run onto the stage.

Spritely And you’ll have to come through us too.

Fleck Every last one of us.

Shere Khan Well this just gets better and better. Just wonderful. (calling off) Anybody else? Anyone foolish enough to give up their life for this man-cub?

Baloo, Bagheera and Kaa enter from behind him, speaking as they enter.

Bagheera As it happens, yes.

Shere Khan turns to see them, shocked. And then wary.

Baloo I’ve never eaten tiger before. But boy am I hungry today.

Bagheera You’re always hungry.

Baloo I know. But I’m especially hungry today.

Kaa So am I …

He licks his lips. Everyone starts to move in on Shere Khan.

Shere Khan Alright, alright. Enough. What do you want from me? You want me to let him live? Is that it? Fine, then, he can live. We’ll all live happily together.

Bagheera Not you, Khan. There’s no place for you here. It’s time for you to leave.

Baloo And if you ever come back …

Kaa I’ll be waiting.

Raksha We will all be waiting. And we’ll be ready.

Shere Khan Come on, Tabaqui, let’s go.

Tabaqui stays where he is.

Shere Khan Tabaqui?

Tabaqui Sorry, Khan, but I kind of like this part of the jungle. It’s leafy. Maybe I’ll see you around.

Shere Khan looks utterly defeated and slopes off. Everybody cheers.

Everyone Hooray!

Raksha Mowgli, that won’t be the last we see of him. He’ll want his revenge, more now than ever.

Mowgli I know, mother. And between now and then, I’ve got an awful lot to learn. But luckily I’ve got a very good teacher. (looking around) In fact, I’ve got a lot of very good teachers.

Akela Hear hear.

The young wolves run to Mowgli and hug him as the music starts.

king of the jungle

Days, they dawn and die,

Breathing new life, today, tomorrow.

Spirits soar and fly,

Sometimes our hearts are weighed with sorrow.

But we’re here for it all

And life goes on.

Yes we’re here for it all

And life goes on.

So sing with me, I’m the King of the jungle.

Sing with me, I’m the King of the jungle.

Here our time is short,

Living is fraught but never boring.

Practise all that you’re taught,

You might survive to tell your story.

Cos we’re here for it all

And life goes on.

Yes we’re here for it all

And life goes on.

So sing with me, I’m the King of the jungle.

Sing with me, I’m the King of the jungle.

So sing with me, I’m the King of the jungle.

Sing with me, I’m the King of the jungle.