Bears, tigers, wolves, mice, penguins and an intrepid child are among the amusing characters that inhabit the colourful world of Kumpanija Teatru Rjal’s panto this year. 

Based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, Junglebook tells how Mowgli, who was brought up by wolves in the jungle,unwillingly leaves the animal kingdom after the evil tigress Sharkan threatens to kill his guardians unless he abandons his furry friends. 

The bear Ballola, who loves Mowgli, is heartbroken because Jane had already taken her Tarzan away.

The storyline skips to years later to find Mowgli well integrated in the modern world and in love with Stef, the daughter of his adoptive parents. His peaceful life, however, is soon shattered by Sharkan, who uses a fake profile of Mowgli on Junglebook − the jungle version of Facebook − to trap the animals in a circus and draw Mowgli to one of the shows.

The 18th edition of the Maltese panto is written by comic duo Danusan, who also form part of the production team. It is directed by Ray Abdilla and stars Rodney Gauci as the Dame, Matteo Calleja as the young Mowgli, Kevin Paul Calleja as the older Mowgli, Soraya Queen as the Circus Master and Michela Pace, Mariah Mangion, Alexia Micallef, Leah Mifsud, Jeffrey Scicluna and Julie Pomorski as the furry and feathery members of the animal kingdom. 

Mario Cassar and Brian Farrugia play the role of hunters.

Junglebook is under the musical direction of Conrad Briffa, with choreography by Clayton and Daphny of Kinetic DanceStudio and costumes by Marika Zarb of Louie Noir.

The show is being held at the Catholic Institute in Floriana on Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, on Sunday at 2 and 6.30pm and on January 5 at 7pm. 

For tickets, visit www.ktrmalta.com or call the ticket hotline on 9997 6468. Tickets are also available at the Catholic Institute’s bar and booking office (tel. 2123 8429) or Pawlu Testa Travel (9947 6468).