Just So

Music by George Stiles, lyrics by Anthony Drewe.
Inspired by the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
Tabard Theatre: 1 Dec – 9 Jan 2011

“There’s no harm in asking why everything should be just so”.

is Christmas, the Tabard Theatre presents its biggest scale production ever. With a cast of eleven and a live band, Just So is a bold and vivid musical adventure adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories. With lavish sets, beautiful costumes and a powerful soundtrack, Just So brings the magic, wonder and excitement of the jungle to Chiswick and beyond.

Set at the beginning of time, along Africa’s Limpopo River, the Eldest magician created a world full of beasts, birds and fish. Everything was just so, until Pau Amma the Crab began playing with the ocean, causing a flood that threatened the other animals.

To stop the crab, the Elephant’s Child must go on a quest down the Limpopo River. With the help of Kolokolo Bird they discover a world of weird and wonderful creatures and learn how the leopard got his spots, how the rhinoceros got his skin, and how curiosity and a hungry crocodile can turn an elephant’s small nose into a very large trunk.

By arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh and written by award-winning West End writers George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins, Honk, Tutankhamun), this production marks the 25th anniversary of a show that has been reworked specifically for the Tabard Theatre.

“Cameron (Mackintosh), Anthony (Drewe) and I are very excited… We think it’s perfect for the Tabard – it’s such a lovely theatre and I’ve been there many times and seen lots of excellent new work there. I think JUST SO is a fabulously entertaining Christmas show and will appeal enormously to a family audience.“

George Stiles

As the producers that brought you previous year’s The Famous Five and Stig of the Dump, Just So weaves together five of Kipling’s most famous stories into a thrilling adventure about personal courage, individuality and friendship. Book early as performances do sell out.

NOMINATED FOR 5 OFFWESTEND.COM AWARDS
Best Director: Andrew Keates
Best Entertainment
Best Choreographer: Phyllida Crowley-Smith
Best Male Performance: Thomas Lloyd
Best Female Performance: Lisa Baird.

“A Real Charmer… a terrific production performed with variously disarming and disruptive delight by an 11 strong cast’
★★★★ Mark Shenton, Sunday Express

”It’s so enjoyable! The kids in the audience lapped it up” 
Roger Foss, LBC Radio

‘Just So has never quite made it to the West End, but hopefully it is on its way after this energetic production at the Tabard Theatre’
Spoonfed

“A Joy to Behold…the singing is excellent… a heartwarming production”
Richmond and Twickenham Times

“the intimate space of the Tabard theatre is used to its full potential with wonderful set design devised by Christopher Hone”
Broadway World