HAMPSHIRE audiences have the chance to see an exciting new one act play about Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling at the Titchfield Festival Theatre this weekend, before the production moves to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

If Only: An Audience with Rudyard Kipling, by Lynn Pegler, explores his extraordinary life and the devastating personal consequences of World War One.

The Nobel Literature Prize winner is famous for writing the nation’s favourite poem If, which will feature along with other popular poems and stories woven into the one hour stage show.

Lynn said: “We are delighted to bring this production to Titchfield before the run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I originally wrote the show for a festival of authors staged in Liverpool in March. The more I delved into Kipling’s fascinating itinerant life, the more it became apparent that he suffered a series of major regrets – hence the title.

“I am delighted to report the show has gone down a storm with audiences in Liverpool and at literature festivals, and we are very much looking forward to performing it in Titchfield.”

If Only: An Audience with Rudyard Kipling, performed in costume by Matt Jones and Lynn Pegler, will be on stage at the Titchfield Festival Theatre, tonight and tomorrow night.

The entertainment continues at Titchfield next week with Coriolanus.

When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too, Famine threatens the city and Coriolanus must confront the march of the realpolitik and the wrath of an angry people.

Tickets: 01329 556156 or titchfieldfestivaltheatre.org