The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical

From the very start, the young audience—remarkably diverse, with children representing a far wider range of ethnic backgrounds than one typically encounters at adult theatre—was utterly engaged. Marlow, aged 3, who came without knowing the story, was captivated for the first fifteen minutes, his eyes wide as the jungle animals appeared. Later, it was the interactive moments—particularly the giant “monkey nuts” showered onto the audience to help defeat the greedy crocodile—that set him bouncing in his seat. Sam, aged 9, already familiar with Dahl’s tale, enjoyed the production from start to finish. The hippo was a particular favourite among the younger children, while the elephant and bird drew cheers too.

Dahl’s story, first published in 1978, is among his shorter children’s books. It tells of a hungry crocodile determined to make a meal of “juicy little children,” only to be thwarted by a menagerie of jungle animals. It is a mischievous and slightly dark premise, one Dahl’s readers know well, and the production captures its playfulness with wit and charm. The puppets, designed by co-director Toby Olié, are a triumph—full of character and movement, creating moments of wonder for the young audience.

If there is one weakness, it lies in the score. Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab’s music, with lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra and additional contributions from Tom Brady, is lively and varied but does not quite deliver the kind of memorable, instantly repeatable tunes that children can carry away with them. As one child remarked, “there were too many songs”—not because of sheer number, but because none lodged in his imagination. Children’s theatre often thrives on the power of a refrain: one phrase or chorus they can latch onto and repeat gleefully throughout the performance. This production might have benefited from such a musical anchor.

Still, at just 55 minutes, the show wisely keeps its pace brisk, its visuals inventive, and its humour cheeky. Director Emily Lim ensures there is always something for the young eyes to follow, while Fly Davis’s colourful set and costumes enrich the storybook atmosphere.

Practical note for parents: young children can struggle if seated behind taller adults, as their view is easily blocked. Some theatres provide booster cushions to solve this problem. Regent’s Park might consider a similar service, as Marlow—otherwise absorbed like a child hearing a story for the first time—found his view partly obscured by an adult in front of him.

Despite these small reservations, The Enormous Crocodile The Musical is delightful family theatre. It may not boast timeless tunes, but it succeeds in introducing Dahl’s mischievous tale to a new generation—and judging by the laughter, squeals, and flurry of “monkey nuts,” the crocodile was thoroughly outwitted.