Tommie Fourie will play Mowgli in the Pole Project’s upcoming production, A Feast of Flight, based on The Jungle Book.
The Pole Project will have its annual production, A Feast of Flight, based on The Jungle Book, at the Star Theatre at the District Six Homecoming Centre on Friday September 1 and Saturday September 2.
The show blends gravity-defying artistry that fuses the art of pole dance with aerial prowess, all wrapped up in the tale of The Jungle Book.
The owner and founder of The Pole Project, Kathy Lee, said: “The Jungle Book has always held a special place in my heart. After immersing myself in the timeless tale through Rudyard Kipling’s All the Mowgli Stories and both the 1967 Disney cartoon and 2016 remake, I knew it was the perfect story to bring to life on stage.
“The iconic soundtrack from the 1967 film really adds an epic touch to our dance production,” she comments.
A Feast of Flight, which debuted in 2017, reinvents a classic tale with a modern twist each year. From Alistair spiralling down a rabbit hole in Wonderland, to Doug skipping down a yellow brick in Wizard of Oz and the Emerald City Drag Race and Wendy on her journey to finding her womanhood in Never Have I Ever Land.
The production is set to weave in a tale of belonging, identity, compassion, and the power of family amidst the wild wonders of the jungle.
The Jungle's harmony resonates deep within Mowgli, guiding him on a journey of self-discovery and courage. “We want audiences to join Mowgli in unravelling the tapestry of his identity, as he discovers a profound connection with every creature he encounters. Every relationship makes him learn that a part of himself is mirrored in the essence of everyone he meets. As humans, we are so desperate to find our tribe, but Mowgli’s adventures show us that in truth, we can belong to more than one at one time,” said Ms Lee
This year’s performers are primarily students of The Pole Project who have been training for three months to create a slick and professional production. “From ages nine to 49, our talented dancers have poured their hearts and souls into mastering their craft and embodying the characters from The Jungle Book.”
The show will also feature two other pole studios - AIR FIT studio playing the wolves, and Pole Dance Cape Town as Shere Khan. Additionally, professional performers Cheshire Vineyard as Bagheera and Fern Hartley as The Red Flower will also perform.
Costume designers Vanya Keren from Sky Kandy and Lloyd Kandlin from The Costume Department will create the costumes that bring the jungle creatures to life.
The show's focus on pole and aerial performances means that the poles and apparatus themselves become the props used to tell the story.
A Feast of Flight at The Star Theatre will show on Friday September 1, at 7pm, and Saturday September 2, at 2pm and at 7pm.
Tickets are R340 and are available on The Pole Project’s website or on the Instagram page.