JUNGLE HIDEAWAY
A SUPER NATURAL
Musical For Kids
Musical For Kids
By DAVID ELFICK and YUNYU
INTRODUCTION
JUNGLE HIDEAWAY is stage musical set in the exciting exotic South East Asian jungle. Like the enchanted forests of Europe, Asia’s jungles possess a magical timelessness that has long sparked popular imagination with stories passed down through generations - stories designed to scare, entertain and provide instruction. JUNGLE HIDEAWAY shows the world of the jungle and its animals in all its rich and fascinating diversity and does this by accessing the folklore common to the region.
It is compelling musical theatre using musical performance, comedy, pantomime, audience interaction and animation. By encouraging audience participation Jungle Hideaway is a call to action to save our planet from this ecological destruction.
The key to any successful musical is the strength of its songs. The music combines the talents of ARIA-winning composer Peter Dasent and songwriter Yunyu, a winner of the Triple J Unearthed competition. This first time collaboration of Peter and Yunyu has created a unique and original musical score.
The key to any successful musical is the strength of its songs. The music combines the talents of ARIA-winning composer Peter Dasent and songwriter Yunyu, a winner of the Triple J Unearthed competition. This first time collaboration of Peter and Yunyu has created a unique and original musical score.
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STORY SUMMARY
But what have you destroyed not knowing how wonderful they are?
— ASURA
Precocious Australian schoolboy Tommy isn’t buying any of this tree related nature loving, superstitious Mumbo Jumbo coming from his jungle guide Malay ranger Ahmad. Tommy does everything in his power to spite this nonsense including peeing on a banana tree. But Pisang the banana tree, the grumpiest crankiest spirit in the jungle has its revenge and Tommy is unexpectedly teleported right into the heart of the jungle where he begins a journey that will change his views of technology and progress.
Begrudgingly rescued by local girl Asura, Tommy is forced to join her quest to find the Pelangi bird, thought to be extinct. Along the way he is exposed to the rich and diverse local mythology derived from observing the natural world, the creatures of the jungle and to the wanton destruction by humans, mistakenly called “progress".
As spirited opposites Tommy and Asura engage in a sometimes feisty banter that develops into a friendship. They resolve to join forces and fight for the preservation of the natural world because the future of our planet depends on their success.
Begrudgingly rescued by local girl Asura, Tommy is forced to join her quest to find the Pelangi bird, thought to be extinct. Along the way he is exposed to the rich and diverse local mythology derived from observing the natural world, the creatures of the jungle and to the wanton destruction by humans, mistakenly called “progress".
As spirited opposites Tommy and Asura engage in a sometimes feisty banter that develops into a friendship. They resolve to join forces and fight for the preservation of the natural world because the future of our planet depends on their success.
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PRODUCTION
Previous development. The initial workshop was in Sydney, followed by a workshop in Singapore with partners La Salle College of the Arts and MindChamps Education, directed by Aubrey Mellor. The cast of the Singapore workshop were La Salle musical theatre students and concluded with two performances.
2021 Earlier this year JUNGLE HIDEAWAY partnered with Origin Music to produce 5 of the musical tracks, recorded at Love HZ studio in Sydney. These tracks were produced by Michael Carpenter with Musical director Peter Dasent. The vocalists were three NIDA musical theatre graduates; Charli Lucas, Alex Law, Aryan Sharma and Yunyu.
In December, JUNGLE HIDEAWAY will conduct a workshop with NIDA (Sydney) musical theatre students directed by Elsie Edgerton-Till. This workshop also partners Origin Theatrical and PBP Entertainment.
JUNGLE HIDEAWAY is now represented by ORiGiN™ Theatrical for Australia and New Zealand and Internationally by Garry McQuinn, RGM Productions (London)
2021 Earlier this year JUNGLE HIDEAWAY partnered with Origin Music to produce 5 of the musical tracks, recorded at Love HZ studio in Sydney. These tracks were produced by Michael Carpenter with Musical director Peter Dasent. The vocalists were three NIDA musical theatre graduates; Charli Lucas, Alex Law, Aryan Sharma and Yunyu.
In December, JUNGLE HIDEAWAY will conduct a workshop with NIDA (Sydney) musical theatre students directed by Elsie Edgerton-Till. This workshop also partners Origin Theatrical and PBP Entertainment.
JUNGLE HIDEAWAY is now represented by ORiGiN™ Theatrical for Australia and New Zealand and Internationally by Garry McQuinn, RGM Productions (London)
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CREATIVE TEAM
Peter Dasent
Musical Director, Composer Peter Dasent has been responsible for some of the most popular children’s songs in Australia. The pianist and MD for Playschool since 2000, he also writes the songs and produces the albums for its popular presenter Justine Clarke. Their platinum selling album Little Day Out won them the Aria Award for Best Children’s Album. Peter is a versatile composer, having scored numerous films, including 3 early features for director Peter Jackson. His jazz ensemble, The Umbrellas, has released several albums of Peter’s original music, as well as a tribute to the Fellini scores of the great Italian film composer Nino Rota.
“Working with my longtime collaborator, the late Arthur Baysting to create songs that reflect the dramatic situations of the story and the characters of Asura, Tommy, the monkeys, chameleon and tiger was an invigorating challenge. I drew upon my many influences - classic pop, R’nB, funk, reggae and classical music, and then collaborated with Yunyu on her Asian infused compositions to create what we hope is a lively score full of memorable and catchy songs.”
“Working with my longtime collaborator, the late Arthur Baysting to create songs that reflect the dramatic situations of the story and the characters of Asura, Tommy, the monkeys, chameleon and tiger was an invigorating challenge. I drew upon my many influences - classic pop, R’nB, funk, reggae and classical music, and then collaborated with Yunyu on her Asian infused compositions to create what we hope is a lively score full of memorable and catchy songs.”
Yunyu
Composer, writer Yunyu grew up in northern Singapore where the kampongs of her childhood are now replaced by high-rise buildings. But her young world was woven with folk tales from a multitude of cultures; her multilingual background (Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Malay, English, Japanese) granted her access to many different stories, her childhood experiences enriching the JUNGLE HIDEAWAY narrative.
Having won the Triple J Unearthed competition, Yunyu, now resident in Australia, is a multi- instrumentalist, playing a number of instruments including Guzheng (Chinese harp), synths, Taiko (Japanese drums), and Hulusi (Chinese flute). Yunyu has a degree in screen composition from AFTRS.
“My Jungle Hideaway writing was inspired by two classics of Asian Cinema, BN Rao’s early M Pontianak (Singapore/Malay) and Tsui Hark’s Green Snake (Hong Kong) where supernatural lores of nature are forced to navigate a claustrophobic shared space with human societies, to dramatic and comic effect”
Having won the Triple J Unearthed competition, Yunyu, now resident in Australia, is a multi- instrumentalist, playing a number of instruments including Guzheng (Chinese harp), synths, Taiko (Japanese drums), and Hulusi (Chinese flute). Yunyu has a degree in screen composition from AFTRS.
“My Jungle Hideaway writing was inspired by two classics of Asian Cinema, BN Rao’s early M Pontianak (Singapore/Malay) and Tsui Hark’s Green Snake (Hong Kong) where supernatural lores of nature are forced to navigate a claustrophobic shared space with human societies, to dramatic and comic effect”
David Elfick
Writer, Producer David Elfick is credited with numerous award winning feature films and television dramas, and worked with musicians Pink Floyd, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Peter Gabriel, David Bridie and Tim Minchin. Two of the film soundtracks were awarded Gold Records.
“Arthur C Clarke once said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. The magic of Jungle Hideaway is based on the deep interaction of Chinese and Malay indigenous folklore, shared animistic beliefs that all things are intelligent in their own right. This world is a crowded one where every tree has spirits, animals can communicate if humans listen and every action warrants a negotiated reaction from nature. This is a world where trees gossip, jungle spirits walk and old magic comes to life. Jungle Hideaway explores the need to keep an open mind to old knowledge if we are to save the world’s dwindling resources.”
“Arthur C Clarke once said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. The magic of Jungle Hideaway is based on the deep interaction of Chinese and Malay indigenous folklore, shared animistic beliefs that all things are intelligent in their own right. This world is a crowded one where every tree has spirits, animals can communicate if humans listen and every action warrants a negotiated reaction from nature. This is a world where trees gossip, jungle spirits walk and old magic comes to life. Jungle Hideaway explores the need to keep an open mind to old knowledge if we are to save the world’s dwindling resources.”
Clare Sawyer
Producer Clare Sawyer has specialised in creating stimulating programs for young audiences for Sydney Film Festival and Flickerfest as well as Sydney, Adelaide and Byron Bay writers festivals.
“One of the most interesting aspects of my recent work has been working with the young slam poets of Western Sydney. They have authentic, original voices that reflect their upbringing, culture and aspirations. Defining the two distinct cultures and voices of Asura and Tommy is the challenge for Jungle Hideaway.”
Clare’s most recent film production is Recorder Queen a hybrid documentary on shines a light on the creative life of musician Genevieve Lacey. The film recently screened on the ABC network and was also selected for the international festival HotDoc’s Canada in 2021.
“Recorder Queen uses animation and music to compliment the documenting of Genevieve’s creative life so the narrative can enter and explore another level of consciousness. The use of these techniques in theatre is exciting for the creators and its young audience.”
“One of the most interesting aspects of my recent work has been working with the young slam poets of Western Sydney. They have authentic, original voices that reflect their upbringing, culture and aspirations. Defining the two distinct cultures and voices of Asura and Tommy is the challenge for Jungle Hideaway.”
Clare’s most recent film production is Recorder Queen a hybrid documentary on shines a light on the creative life of musician Genevieve Lacey. The film recently screened on the ABC network and was also selected for the international festival HotDoc’s Canada in 2021.
“Recorder Queen uses animation and music to compliment the documenting of Genevieve’s creative life so the narrative can enter and explore another level of consciousness. The use of these techniques in theatre is exciting for the creators and its young audience.”
Anna Wili-Highfield
Artist Anna Wili-Highfield has created the Pelangi Bird puppet and developed the jungle design for the digital set. She has used her organic sculpture technique to create the Pelangi bird.
‘When I began this bird all I knew was that it was believed to be extinct, and that it was elusive and magnificent. I think that nature is far more fantastic than anything we can imagine so I immersed myself in imagery of known birds and invented this creature using compositions found in nature. I combined super bright colours with muted tones and mottled feathers. I looked to the New Guinean birds of Paradise for far out features like incredibly long tail feathers. I never design a piece before I begin, my ideas come from the process of making; the method is to be attuned to the directions dictated by the form. I think I found who this creature was through the making. To me this bird is not a character so much as she is a medium for the fantasy and hope of our audience.’
‘When I began this bird all I knew was that it was believed to be extinct, and that it was elusive and magnificent. I think that nature is far more fantastic than anything we can imagine so I immersed myself in imagery of known birds and invented this creature using compositions found in nature. I combined super bright colours with muted tones and mottled feathers. I looked to the New Guinean birds of Paradise for far out features like incredibly long tail feathers. I never design a piece before I begin, my ideas come from the process of making; the method is to be attuned to the directions dictated by the form. I think I found who this creature was through the making. To me this bird is not a character so much as she is a medium for the fantasy and hope of our audience.’
For the set, she has painted lush immersive jungle landscapes, recording each brush stroke on camera, so that they can grow and disappear on the huge digital screens that form part of her design.
‘I was inspired when told that we would be using a digital screen as a backdrop. I had painted many huge backgrounds when working for Opera Australia. Part of me thought, 'Oh no the work of the scenic artist is coming to an end' but then I had an idea of how to reclaim the medium and give it something never possible when it was a fixed fabric drop. My jungle could be painted and not only would it show a finished scene but it could move with the action and over thousands of frames could show the process of the painting as a form of storytelling. Using stop animation to create nature I could also show the creation of an art-work. This jungle doesn't grow as nature does, it grows as a painting does. A plant will appear in layers of light and shade, colour and form rather than growing from a sapling to a tree. I hope this duality will impress and intrigue our audience.’
INTERNATIONAL PARTNER
Gary McQuinn
Experienced London-based Australian entrepreneur Garry McQuinn is JUNGLE HIDEAWAY'S international producer.
For the past 20 years Garry has earned a reputation for developing, producing and managing an impressive range of commercially-viable touring productions. He has been responsible for the international success of the iconic Australian shows: Tap Dogs and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical - since opening in Sydney in 2006 Priscilla has been seen in 15 countries by over 4.5 million people, and has gross sales of USD $350 million.
Through his company RGM Productions, Garry has produced the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s Academy Award-winning film Through A Glass Darkly at the Almeida Theatre in London and the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York. He produced the UK tour and Canadian premiere of The Two Worlds of Charlie F and a contemporary family musical comedy adaptation of The Hunting Of The Snark for family audiences.
Recent successes include the Olivier nominated Songs for Nobodies, starring Bernadette Robinson in the highly acclaimed one-woman show, The Tap Pack, which played Sadler’s Wells, and cabaret musical Velvet.
Garry is the international producer of Jean Paul Gaultier’s new musical Fashion Freak Show. RGM is representing the West End hit musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie internationally.
Garry feels that “Jungle Hideaway with its environmental storyline, ethnically diverse cast and catchy cross-cultural music score has tapped into the zeitgeist of contemporary youth theatre and done it with considerable panache.”
For the past 20 years Garry has earned a reputation for developing, producing and managing an impressive range of commercially-viable touring productions. He has been responsible for the international success of the iconic Australian shows: Tap Dogs and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical - since opening in Sydney in 2006 Priscilla has been seen in 15 countries by over 4.5 million people, and has gross sales of USD $350 million.
Through his company RGM Productions, Garry has produced the world premiere of the stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s Academy Award-winning film Through A Glass Darkly at the Almeida Theatre in London and the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York. He produced the UK tour and Canadian premiere of The Two Worlds of Charlie F and a contemporary family musical comedy adaptation of The Hunting Of The Snark for family audiences.
Recent successes include the Olivier nominated Songs for Nobodies, starring Bernadette Robinson in the highly acclaimed one-woman show, The Tap Pack, which played Sadler’s Wells, and cabaret musical Velvet.
Garry is the international producer of Jean Paul Gaultier’s new musical Fashion Freak Show. RGM is representing the West End hit musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie internationally.
Garry feels that “Jungle Hideaway with its environmental storyline, ethnically diverse cast and catchy cross-cultural music score has tapped into the zeitgeist of contemporary youth theatre and done it with considerable panache.”
SYNOPSIS
A SUPER NATURAL
Musical for Kids
TOMMY is an Australian city kid who loves investigating things. On his first trip to the Malaysian jungle he angers a GRUMPY BANANA TREE who teleports him away from his school pals. Lost and alone, he is rescued by ASURA a somewhat mysterious girl. She takes him on a quest to find the exotic RAINBOW BIRD.
Along the way they encounter a series of obstacles and challenges. TOMMY is introduced to some of ASURA’s jungle friends, monkeys JAHAT, JOGET and JATUH, CAM the chameleon. MR STRIPES the tiger and the whistling tribe of the Jungle, The ORANG BUNIAN who help them find the RAINBOW BIRD.
Then the Jungle and the future of all the creatures that live there is threatened by humans. ASURA and TOMMY need all the help they can get from the JUNGLE CREATURES and the AUDIENCE to stop the destruction of the Jungle.
Along the way they encounter a series of obstacles and challenges. TOMMY is introduced to some of ASURA’s jungle friends, monkeys JAHAT, JOGET and JATUH, CAM the chameleon. MR STRIPES the tiger and the whistling tribe of the Jungle, The ORANG BUNIAN who help them find the RAINBOW BIRD.
Then the Jungle and the future of all the creatures that live there is threatened by humans. ASURA and TOMMY need all the help they can get from the JUNGLE CREATURES and the AUDIENCE to stop the destruction of the Jungle.
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CULTURE
'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic'
—Arthur C Clarke
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The magic of this world is based on the deep interaction Chinese and Malay indigenous folklore. These are built on the shared animistic and polytheistic beliefs that all things are sentient and intelligent in their own right. This world is a crowded one, where every tree has spirits, animals can communicate if humans listen, and every action warrants a negotiated reaction from nature. This is a world where trees gossip, and jungle spirits walk and old magic comes to life. Jungle Hideaway’s magic world explores the need to keep an open mind to old knowledge if we are to save the earth’s dwindling resources. This is a particularly timely story as erosion, drought and wildfires expose the ineffectiveness of “modern land management”.
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CHARACTERS
TOMMY
Science boy, rational, technology worshiping boy. TOMMY has the best toys and wants the best toys, that is, until he is teleported by an angry banana spirit deep into the jungle. There, none of his technology seem to work, and the thieving monkeys took his bag of bare jungle essentials. TOMMY is ultimately on a journey where he learns that new isn’t always best and magic encompassed within the natural world is a great challenge to be explored. His is a journey of skeptic and cynic to one of wonder and curiosity as he resolves to help his new found friends.
Science boy, rational, technology worshiping boy. TOMMY has the best toys and wants the best toys, that is, until he is teleported by an angry banana spirit deep into the jungle. There, none of his technology seem to work, and the thieving monkeys took his bag of bare jungle essentials. TOMMY is ultimately on a journey where he learns that new isn’t always best and magic encompassed within the natural world is a great challenge to be explored. His is a journey of skeptic and cynic to one of wonder and curiosity as he resolves to help his new found friends.
ASURA
ASURA is a somewhat mysterious girl, in fact we are not quite sure if she is human or another magical spirit from the jungle like the Orang Bunian. She is on a mission deep into the jungle to find the elusive Rainbow bird when she finds TOMMY lost and trapped in the jungle. She becomes his rescuer and is soon impressed by his knowledge of things scientific and technical but astounded by his view of the natural world as simple and old fashioned. Asura becomes his guide to the wonders of the natural world and the magical powers that it holds. She succeeds in opening Tommy’s mind to the beautiful complexity of our planet and united, they intend to make a difference and help sustain our planet.
ASURA is a somewhat mysterious girl, in fact we are not quite sure if she is human or another magical spirit from the jungle like the Orang Bunian. She is on a mission deep into the jungle to find the elusive Rainbow bird when she finds TOMMY lost and trapped in the jungle. She becomes his rescuer and is soon impressed by his knowledge of things scientific and technical but astounded by his view of the natural world as simple and old fashioned. Asura becomes his guide to the wonders of the natural world and the magical powers that it holds. She succeeds in opening Tommy’s mind to the beautiful complexity of our planet and united, they intend to make a difference and help sustain our planet.
AHMAD
SCHOOLKIDS
MONKEYS - JAHAT, JOGET, JATUH
CAM the CHAMELEON
MR STRIPES
ORANG BUNIAN
RAINBOW BIRD
SCHOOLKIDS
MONKEYS - JAHAT, JOGET, JATUH
CAM the CHAMELEON
MR STRIPES
ORANG BUNIAN
RAINBOW BIRD
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MUSIC
The music of Jungle Hideaway is like its story environment — a clash of urban and world music with influenced by South East Asian cultures. The music is catchy, poppy and reflects the sense of a connection of cultures from TOMMY’s to ASURA’s world. There’s a sense of old and new inter spaced with long standing tradition something that reflects how TOMMY and ASURA view time differently.
MUSIC /PERFORMERS
M 1 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE/ INSTRUMENTAL
M 2 HE’S BANANAS TOMMY
M 3 JUNGLE JIVE ASURA/TOMMY
M 4 MONKEY DANCE JAHAT/JOGET/JATUH
M 5 JUNGLE GIRL, CITY BOY TOMMY/ASURA
M 6 CHAMELEON SONG CHAMELEON
M 7 BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD ASURA
M 8 JUNGLE RAP TOMMY/ASURA
M 9 I’M NOT AFRAID TOMMY/ASURA
M10 IF YOU LOVE US JUNGLE ANIMALS
M11 HURRY UP HURRY UP FULL CAST
M12 SILENCE ASURA
M13 ORANG BUNIAN FULL CAST
M14 PROGRESS MARCHES ON W1/W2
M15 WE CAN DO ANYTHING FULL CAST
M 1 WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE/ INSTRUMENTAL
M 2 HE’S BANANAS TOMMY
M 3 JUNGLE JIVE ASURA/TOMMY
M 4 MONKEY DANCE JAHAT/JOGET/JATUH
M 5 JUNGLE GIRL, CITY BOY TOMMY/ASURA
M 6 CHAMELEON SONG CHAMELEON
M 7 BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD ASURA
M 8 JUNGLE RAP TOMMY/ASURA
M 9 I’M NOT AFRAID TOMMY/ASURA
M10 IF YOU LOVE US JUNGLE ANIMALS
M11 HURRY UP HURRY UP FULL CAST
M12 SILENCE ASURA
M13 ORANG BUNIAN FULL CAST
M14 PROGRESS MARCHES ON W1/W2
M15 WE CAN DO ANYTHING FULL CAST