National Theatre announces cast and details for The Jungle Book

The National Theatre has announced initial casting for The Jungle Book, the new play by Anupama Chandrasekhar based on Rudyard Kipling’s story.

The production will be directed by the venue’s artistic director Indhu Rubasingham and will run in the Olivier theatre from 13 November 2026 to 6 February 2027, with a press performance on 24 November.

Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera 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. Further casting is to be announced.

The production features puppetry by Lume’s Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell. Design is by Rajha Shakiry, with movement direction by Caldwell, music by Fernando Velázquez, lighting by Oliver Fenwick and sound by Benjamin Grant. Casting is by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor and Martin Poile, with voice by Cathleen McCarron.

John Young is associate director, Scarlet Wilderink associate puppetry director, Caroline Bowman associate puppet designer and Ruth Hall associate set designer.

The adaptation is set in the mangroves of the Sundarbans, where Mowgli grows up among the animals of the jungle and faces dangers that threaten his family and home.

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.

The production is recommended for ages seven and above.