Riveting performance and retelling of Jungle Book by Cape Town’s Pole Project
The Pole Project’s yearly showcase is back and this time they put a fresh spin on the Jungle Book story. Happening this weekend, 1 and 2 September at the Star Theatre in Cape Town’s CBD.
If you’re anything like us, you value experiences above anything else. Nothing compares to an encounter so scintillating as to cover you in goosebumps and fill you with butterflies. The upcoming Feast of Flight showcase is just one such experience.
We recently had the pleasure of attending the exclusive media preview at the charming Star Theatre (the old Fugard) in Cape Town’s CBD – a venue steeped in a lush history of iconic characters and performances. What a fitting setting, then, for The Pole Project’s showcase extravaganza.
The yearly showpiece features a fresh theme each time, ensuring audiences are always in for a surprise. This year the studio was inspired by the ever-popular and much-loved Jungle Book story. If last year’s Peter Pan performance was anything to go by, then obviously this would be spectacular.
Featuring some jaw dropping stunts on everything from standard poles, to beautiful aerial apparatus, to even a suspended pole – something I’ve never seen before. Needless to say, the colourful acts kept me solidly fixated.
As for the storytelling, anyone familiar with Mowgli’s journey will easily follow along. From a stellar performance by Bagheera to an absolutely mesmerising rendition of “I Wan’na Be Like You”, the characters came alive thanks to the excellent sound production and lighting of the Star Theatre. A particular stand-out scene was the transfixing solo by Kaa, performed by The Pole Studio owner Kathy Lee.
The show features acts by a multitude of different groups, from rival pole dance studios to a gymnastic school to a fabulous vogue number. It’s charming to see different performance arts coming together for a single stage production.
The first show takes place this Friday evening (1 September) and again Saturday (2 September) for both a matinee performance and another evening show, so you have little excuse for missing out. Tickets are available through The Pole Project’s website at thepoleproject.co.za/live-show.