The Jungle Book

The new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's best loved stories is darker than the Disney version on which most of us were raised. This seems not to bother the kids in the audience, who shriek with laughter, gasp in fear and dance in the aisles. The production lacks the knowing jokes for grown-ups abundant in so much children's theatre - rather refreshingly, this kids' play is actually for kids. However, it offers plenty to delight the observant adult as well: the gorgeous jungle set practically glows with colour, and the actors are exquisitely cast. Tony Hasnath as Mowgli has mastered the fluid-yet-awkward agility of a child; the booming Canadian voice of Mark Holden as Baloo is as comforting as a teddy bear; Peter F Gardiner's Shere Khan stalks and growls as no tiger ever has. And anyone who manages to resist cracking a smile during the brilliant finale must have a heart of stone. [Julie Balazs]