Running Wild (2016)
13 May – 12 June
Book by Michael Murpurgo, Adaptation by Samuel Adamson
The largest scale production ever presented at the Open Air Theatre, this stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book featured a cast of 40, many of whom were drawn from local schools to form the Young People's Ensemble, a chorus who created the movement and sounds of the jungle. Directed by Timothy Sheader and original Chichester director Dale Rooks, it was considered 'a brilliant, life-affirming show' (Radio Times). Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié, both previous Associate Puppetry Directors on War Horse, designed life-sized puppets, including a full scale elephant, and a buffoonery of orang-utans. This riotous jungle adventure entertained audiences of all ages, and highlighted environmental issues and the plight of endangered species. In 2016/17 The Children's Touring Partnership launched a UK tour of Running Wild.
The cast
Joshua Fernandes
Will
Tyler Osborne
Will
Ava Potter
Lilly
Okorie Chukwu
Red Bandana / Mahout
Joyce Henderson
Granny
Hattie Ladbury
Mum / Geraldine
Eric Mallett
Grandad / Kaya
Ira Mandela Siobhan
Dad / Hunter
Stephen Ventura
Mr Anthony
Laura Cubitt
Oona the elephant
John Leader
Oona the elephant
Michael Taibi
Oona the elephant
Ben Thompson
Oona the elephant
Stuart Angell
Mani the orangutan
Sarah Mardel
Mani the orangutan
Romina Hytten
Charlie the orangutan
Fred Davis
Tonk the orangutan
Creative team
Timothy Sheader
Director
Dale Rooks
Co-Director
Paul Wills
Designer
Georgina Lamb
Movement Director
Paul Anderson
Lighting Designer
Rod Paton
Composer and Music Director
Nick Powell
Sound Score
Nick Lidster for Autograph
Sound Designer
Barbara Houseman
Season Associate Director (Voice & Text)
Louise Anna Duggan
Music Director (Performance)
Oliver Kaderbhai
Assistant Director
Finn Caldwell & Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble
Puppetry Design and Direction
Jessica Ronane CDG
Casting Director
Verity Naughton
Ensemble Casting
Majella Hurley
Dialect Coach
Reviews
The Daily Telegraph
"A WINNER. The puppetry is exquisite, with full-sized animals manipulated so they seem to breathe with documentary life. And as the sun goes down over Regent’s Park and Paul Anderson’s atmospheric lighting kicks in, THE MAGIC REALLY HITS YOU."
The Times
"A role-swapping, puppet-wielding cast…team together to offer vivid suggestions of both the danger and beauty of this tropical wilderness…REMARKABLE by its INVENTIVE, EVOCATIVE STAGING."
Time Out
"It’s A CROWDPLEASER, mainly thanks to INSPIRING and ENERGETIC staging, namely some amazing puppet animals...brought to beautifully articulated life. This fairy-lit stage in Regent’s Park is one of the prettiest theatres in the world, and deserves to be on everyone’s summer night bucket list."
Evening Standard
"What an AUDACIOUS and IMAGINATIVE start this is to the season....stylishly directed by Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks. And those puppets are things of never-ending beauty."
Whats On Stage
"This ABSORBING VISUAL FEAST gradually develops from a lost-in-the-jungle survival story into a morality tale that pitches a brave child against murderous poachers intent on killing endangered wildlife for profit. The animals, all magnificent life-size puppets designed by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié, are played with tender warmth and humour by their 'handlers', with Oona the elephant exuding charm and courage."
Radio Times
"Beautifully realised and modulated...the puppet-work is fantastic…and other touches from directors Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks were dazzling: the sung music effects of the sea from the chorus and the patter of rain, the huge blue material that represented the tsunami and enveloped the audience at one point took my breath away” A BRILLIANT, LIFE-AFFIRMING SHOW."