Review: The Enormous Crocodile, at Lowry, Salford

I don't often, if ever review children's theatre. I don't have kids of my own, and almost all of the children's theatre I see is due to me doing usher duty for them at the Lowry. However, some are shows I look forward to working the most, because of how magical they can be for the children. 

In this case however, from being a fan of the book and having friends who went to see the production at Regents Park, even despite me having 2 shifts booked for the same show, I had to book a ticket before putting on my usher's uniform and see it for myself. To watch it and enjoy it and talk about, rather than keep one eye on the show and another aware of any phones out or scared kids wanting to leave. 

Let's take a trip into the jungle. And hopefully not get eaten...

Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile first snapped its way to the stage at Leeds Playhouse for the 2023 Christmas season before transferring to Regents Park the following Summer, and then returning this Summer. It is now playing at Lowry as part of their festive Season (along with Narnia and Unfortunate returning), ahead of a UK Tour, and is also currently playing in Los Angeles. 

Down on the River Nile, there lives an Enormous Crocodile. And one day, he decides to leave the river to find a nice, juicy, little child for his lunch! Can the other animals stop him?

As one of Roald Dahl's simpler stories, it stands well as a children's show, giving a small lesson about not being greedy and about being brave. For really small children, the crocodile may be a little scary, but at the same time, there were plenty of kids who revelled in the evil laughs - who liked being scared. 

The Enormous Crocodile's music is full of Afro-Carribean beats mixed with classic musical theatre which caused both children and adults alike to dance in their seats. Suhayla El-Busha, Ahmed Abdullahi Galleb and Tom Brady have created a memorable score that could well, in time, become a classic for children's theatre. 

We also have, as any good piece of children's theatre should have, charming characters the audience can both fall in love with and boo at. This has both. Chelsea Da Silva is making her professional debut as the titular character, and you can tell that she is relishing being mean and horrid to the other animals in the jungle. She, for me is one to watch. As is Jordan Eskeisha as Humpy Rumpy, the shy and easily scared hippo. Out of the rest of the animals, his performance was my favourite. 

The real treats though in this piece are the costumes and the puppetry

Designed by Toby Olié (who is also the puppet designer and director of the RSC's BFG, which I have heard every good things about), along with Fly Davis and Daisy Beattie, the costumes and puppetry work together beautifully to bring these animals to life, particularly with the many ways the crocodile was brought to scary fruition. Sometimes, Da Silva would be sitting on a crocodile version of one of those trucks you played with as a child, other times she would be standing up controlling the mouth alone. Even though parts of the crocodile puppet dethatched and attached, you weren't horrified, and still thought it was the same character. 

The other animals are also really inventive, from Trunky the elephant, Humpy Rumpy, and the Roly Poly bird, which was the most costum-y out of the lot, as well as smaller creatures such as frogs and birds who pop in and out, commentating on the action. The only weak link in this area for me was Mugglewump the Monkey needed to pull their trousers up (if you know, you know). But even with that, they're very imaginative, fun and colourful - just what you want for a show aimed for young children. 

If you're looking for a treat this festive season for young children, then The Enormous Crocodile is the choice you want

While the Croc's quest for his dinner is a different tone from the Julia Donaldson shows such as The Gruffalo (as an example), it is a fun and entertaining dance for the little ones, as well as parents and grandparents alike. 

Plus, as it brands itself clearly as a musical, it is a great choice to allow children to sink their teeth into the musical theatre genre. And, now having it seen it three times (after two shifts on top of the performance I bought a ticket for), one of the winning moments was seeing how joyful and entranced the children were when watching. That for me, is a big win.