National Theatre unveils full cast for Anupama Chandrasekhar’s The Jungle Book
The National Theatre has announced the complete casting for the world premiere of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, directed by Indhu Rubasingham. This production promises a rich, multi-disciplinary staging featuring puppetry and a cinematic score.
The Jungle Book will be staged at the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre from 13 November 2026 to 6 February 2027. Hiran Abeysekera, an Olivier Award-winning actor, will play the role of Mowgli in this fresh retelling of Kipling’s classic stories.
Rubasingham directs with a large ensemble cast of 30 performers, including Ayesha Dharker as Raksha and Messua, Lucca Chadwick-Patel as A and Chottu, and Parkey Abeyratne as Raksha Head. The cast also features Antony Antunes, Ankur Bahl, Tony Jayawardena, and many others assigned to key animal and human characters such as Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan, and Akela.
Puppetry is a significant element of the production, with Lume—made up of Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell—providing the design and execution. Movement direction is also by Caldwell, reinforcing the physical storytelling aspect alongside detailed puppetry work.
The creative team is extensive, with Rajha Shakiry on set and costume design, Fernando Velázquez composing a cinematic orchestral score, Oliver Fenwick handling lighting, and Ash J Woodward on video design. The production has an array of associate creatives supporting various design and movement disciplines.
Rubasingham described the project as a “global endeavour” drawing on India’s storytelling culture, the talents of a large cast, and leading puppetry teams. She reflected on The Jungle Book as a formative cinematic memory and expressed a desire to enchant both new generations and familiar audiences.
The production receives backing from the Bagri Foundation and Kusuma Trust, while Chandrasekhar herself is part of the National Theatre Studio’s International Artist Residencies programme, supported by the CHANEL Culture Fund.
This adaptation is set in the Sundarbans’ mangrove forest, where Mowgli is raised by wolves and encounters diverse animal characters as part of his journey, promising a visually and sonically rich interpretation of Kipling’s work.
