Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
The Enormous Crocodile returns to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in the search for “a nice juicy little child” to get its jaws into.
Immediately, a youngster can be heard crying after the crocodile proclaims its dining desires. Dahl was known for his devilishly cheeky stories, and this tale is no different. Toya Ming stars as the ravenous beast, crawling around the stage in a lime green croc cart, complete with seat and wheels. The children are presented through puppetry, with the actors forming the heads, while their bodies are doll figures.
The staging has real foliage behind it, increasing its naturalistic element, while birds fly across intermittently, creating the impression that they’re a part of the show. Animals from the swamp try their best to avert and ruin the crocodile’s plans, with Nia Stephen as Trunky the Elephant, Ryan Crellin-Simpson portraying the nervous and highly flatulent Humpy Rumpy the Hippopotamus, Siobhan Athwal the dancing monkey, Muggle-Wump, and Alison Arnopp completing the troupe as the multicoloured Roly Poly Bird.
While each animal tries its best to foil the crocodile’s plans, there are many songs to help them on their way, created by Suhayla El-Bushra and Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab. When the beast eventually comes down to the crowd, there’s a heightened sense of anticipation, with children and adults alike getting ready to throw their foam peanuts at the voracious reptile, turning the atmosphere into a frenzied scene. Some of the younger attendees start squirming and crying on the laps of the parents, a behaviour present throughout, their crying making it difficult to hear the dialogue; a three-plus age recommendation does seem a tad too young, although the website and marketing material advise parents and teachers to make a suitable judgement.
On the whole, this collaborative production from the Roald Dahl Story Company, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Leeds Playhouse is a cheeky little romp through the jungle, with some classic literary characters. Despite there being several frightened little children and others who couldn’t quite get their teeth into this production, many audience members rather enjoyed themselves.
Selina Begum
Photos: Danny Kaan
Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile is at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 15th August until 7th September 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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