The Enormous Crocodile opened its doors at Leeds Playhouse last week to delighted audiences and rave reviews!
Read what the critics are saying about this deliciously funny new musical, playing in Leeds until 6th January before taking a trip to London for Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's summer season.
"A snappy, funny, riotous children’s musical to really sink your teeth into."
"The auditorium was jam-packed with kids who loved this, and even adults who surrendered themselves to the silliness, enjoyed it, myself included."
"The staging is stunning, creating the theatre into a swamp, with wonderful scenery, puppetry and even bubbles, all the staples of a jungle! The puppetry is magnificent and fits the Dahl aesthetic perfectly."
"This zany story has been turned into a joyous and funny musical directed by Emily Lim, that has both children and adults tee-heeing and guffawing throughout. A beautiful combination of song, movement and silliness, it is a delight to watch and and listen to."
"Some songs are beautiful and others brilliantly kooky, including a song with audience participation about the huge reptile being ‘Sizzled like a sausage’."
"The 11 year old and 8 year old I was sitting next to loved every second of the musical, and they were not the only ones. This is a joyful way to spend 55 minutes."
"This lavishly staged musical adaptation, co-produced by Leeds Playhouse, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Roald Dahl Story Company, expands Dahl’s relatively slim story to visually striking effect, without sanitising its more blood-thirsty elements."
"Olié’s puppet creations wittily transform adult actors into children, while his animals look like Quentin Blake’s distinctive illustrations made real. The crocodile itself is particularly ingenious, and suitably massive, often snaking around the whole stage, and deconstructed to be disguised as a seesaw or coconut tree."
"Elliotte Williams-N’Dure is the Enormous Crocodile. Dragging her mighty length behind her, seeking every opportunity to fill her belly via that vicious mouth and belting out her songs with hints of jazz and gospel, she is terrific."
"It’s Toby Olié’s work as co-director and puppetry designer that grabs the eye. From small hand-puppets we graduate to larger-scale efforts worn like a costume and, in the case of the enormous crocodile, a huge head with a jaw that clamps shut and a detachable train."
"London will have a chance to see this lively, inventive and delightful production next summer when it surfaces at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre"
"Based on Roald Dahl’s popular tale for children, the text continues the tradition of telling a story that delights children by being transgressive. The infant classes that came to see it would recognise the tale and relish being frightened while knowing they are perfectly safe."
"With Emily Lim at the helm, Leeds children can enjoy a piece that throbs with energy and sings along at a great pace."