Writing & Musical Theatre

Barb Jungr Theatrical writing - lyrics, book and songs

Cinderella (2005), (lyricist) , Jack and the Beanstalk (2006), (composer and lyricist), and Beauty and The Beast (2007), (composer and lyricist). Director (all) - Cal McCrystal, Pantomimes (Newbury Corn Exchange)

The Ballad of Norah's Ark - songs Barb Jungr and Russell Churney, book Barb Jungr and Andy Goldberg, from original idea by Barb Jungr. In development in North East England, previous workshops and readings in New York and London.

The Jungle Book (lyricist) - Birmingham Stage Company, touring again 2011 - www.birminghamstage.com/shows/jungle_book

The Fabulous Flutterbys (2010) - (book, composer and lyricist), Produced by The Little Angel Puppet Theatre in spring 2010, touring spring 2011.
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See The Fabulous Flutterbys on YouTube

Mabel Stark Tiger Tamer - (lyricist), in development at Northampton Royal and Derngate Theatres, composer Jonathan Cooper, director Laurie Sansom, following workshop commission by Greenwich Theatre.

Reviews of The Fabulous Flutterbys

Time Out Number One Critics Choice for Theatre May 13th, 2010

Chanteuse Barb Jungr comes to the Little Angel with this all-ages show about a pair of enterprising caterpillars.

The magic begins before you set foot in this diminutive puppet theatre, tucked away up a picturesque leafy alley, and happily this show for the over-threes ensures that the spell remains unbroken. Written by singer, writer and performer Barb Jungr and directed by Peter Glanville, it's an enchanting tale of two caterpillars and their quest to find their lost friend. Their journey, punctuated with jaunty songs, sees them traversing perilous terrain - a poisonous strawberry patch, a museum where butterflies are pinned to boards - and encountering enemies and allies, from a spiteful wasp to a chivalrous red ant, Adam, and an all-seeing, soul-singing slow worm.

It's a great adventure about growing up: at the end of their travels, they become beautiful winged flutterbys. Roger Lade's puppets, nimble-limbed and and glittery-eyed, are irresistible, and the three performers create shifting bug's-eye scenarios on a simple tabletop with delicate skill. A creepy-crawly delight. (Sam Marlowe)

The Sunday Express, Four stars****, May 14th, 2010

London Evening Standard, Four stars **** 13.05.10 Read review

The Stage, 10 May 2010 Read review

The Guardian, Three Stars ***, May 17th 2010 Read review

Puppet Centre, 8 May 2010 Read review

The Camden New Journal, 13 May 2010
This show takes you on a journey through an insect world accompanied by fantastic songs by Barb Jungr, an international singer and performer.

The puppets are brought to life by quirky characters with varying accents and a simple story. There’s Adam and his ants, Brummie Beetle (a guru with the power of verse) and Joe, the blues-singing spa-luxuriating worm.

Two caterpillars, Hamish and Grace, search for their friend who was taken by a “big hand”.

The story follows the insects’ struggle with the dangers of the modern world within a tale of friendship.

We hadn’t realised insects had such a good sense of humour, some of which was lost on the little ones in the audience, but which was captivating nonetheless. My six-year-old daughter thoroughly enjoyed the show, especially the moment the caterpillars transformed into fantastic flutterbys overnight.

The winged beauties appear above the audience having freed themselves from glowing cocoons.

The music – acoustic guitar and sometimes folk-like lyrics – makes it a very enjoyable show.

Another fabulous production by the Little Angel Theatre, and not just for the kids! (by KIRI CRONIN)

Brief Encounter With ... Barb Jungr
WhatsOnStage.com - May 3, 2010
Barb Jungr is an internationally acclaimed jazz and cabaret vocalist. She has toured all over the world and enjoyed critical and popular success with Read the article

The Stage education blog - By Susan Elkin, June 7, 2010

My next port of call was Little Angel Theatre in Islington for Barb Jungr’s The Fabulous Flutterbys, which apart from the educationally unhelpful spelling in the title that contradicts all the conventions for ‘y’ plurals, is an unmitigated delight.

I watched this attractive, hour-long show - about metamorphosis in butterflies but also about friendship, nature, music and colour - in the upbeat company of dozens of entranced tiny children, older siblings and parents because it was half term. All the children were learning (including one little boy who clearly had learning difficulties) and oh so focused. Warmest congratulations to Jonathan Storey, Seonaid Goody, Arran Glass and the creative team.

Little Angel has always punched above its weight in the provision of workshops and activities from age 2 to adult. I’ve been there in the past with school parties and there are Saturday and evening opportunities to learn puppetry and puppet making.

Barb Jungr - writing - publications - essays, books and articles

Essay - The Sunday Times, "What the dying can teach us about living" - News Review - December 2001.

Essay - Folk Roots - a record of Jungr and Parker's British Council trip to Sudan for The British Council in 1992.

Column - The Guardian Diary - Jungr and Parker's first Cameroon tour, 2003.

Part of book - 'Woman: The Incredible Life of Yoko Ono' by Alan Clayson, Barb Jungr, and Robb Johnson (Paperback - 1 Apr 2004)

Chapter - The Cambridge Companion to Blues and Gospel (CUP) The Cambridge Companion to Blues and Gospel Music (Cambridge Companions to Music) by Allan Moore (Paperback - 13 Mar 2003) - chapter on Voice by Barb Jungr.

Essay - Institute of Ideas publication on love and marriage in the new century - essay on song lyrics.

Essay - Spiked Online - "Why are pop singers so samey and sexless?" June 2005 - Read it here

Essay in - John Lydon: Stories of Johnny - A Compendium of Thoughts on the Icon of an Era [Paperback]
Alan McGee (Foreword), Rob Johnstone (Editor) Essay on John Lydon's singing.

Major contributor of features and columns to The Singer - Rheingold Publicatiosn - 1996 - 2009.