The Enormous Crocodile: Review

The Enormous Crocodile at the Theatre Royal is a spectacle of storytelling through puppetry. Enthralled audiences, young and old, watched with grins and giggles, enjoying the whimsy and playfulness of this show. 

The clever puppetry successfully immerses you into the jungle from the very start, as actors greet the audience with puppets of bugs, small enough to fit in your hand, as a taster of the adventure to come.   

Nottingham’s own Chealsa Da Silva (who remembers sitting in the audience of the Theatre Royal on school trips) portrays the Enormous Crocodile tremendously. Da Silva’s ability to become the daunting mischief maker and manoeuvre the 5-meter-long crocodile puppet is to be commended. She is not merely controlling a massive puppet; she is the Enormous Crocodile.  

This is the case for all puppets and actors throughout the show.  

A common risk with puppetry is that the distinction between the puppet and the person can become distracting. However, in the Enormous Crocodile, the audience is invited to see the puppets and talented cast together, rather than try to ignore the actors as shadows in the background.

The star and antagonist of the show is, of course, the Enormous Crocodile, whose impressive 5-meter-long body is mesmerising.  The genius of the flexible tail, and how it slithers, perfectly characterises the sneakiness of the croc.  

This is only enhanced by the incredible range of characters and physicality throughout the piece.  

The heroes are a team of jungle creatures, using teamwork and bravery in the face of the Enormous Crocodile. The range of designs for all the puppets across the story is fascinating, from the materials used to the way they move. The elephant's trunk is a personal favourite.  

In a Q&A, Da Silva revealed this show is the entire cast’s first time performing with puppetry, making their ability to bring unique personalities and physicality to every character they portray all the more impressive. So much so, you find yourself forgetting they are a cast of only five.   

Director Emily Lim shared that puppetry was chosen to tell the tale as a way to “enhance the clarity and spirit” of the original story. Watching the show, this clearly becomes the right choice. The puppets are akin to Quentin Blake's illustrations in the original Rohl Dahl novel, and tell the story wonderfully.   

Da Silva explains that the Puppet Festival is collaborative and supportive, sharing the art form of puppeteering with so many new audiences, even allowing people to discover it as something one can do professionally! What a special thing to “share some of that magic with new audiences.”  

As Nottingham is Da Silva’s home city, she shares that it really feels like a “full-circle moment” to be in the Nottingham Puppet Festival, and to share joy with a highly supportive community, performing “in-front of kids who grew up just like me”.   

The Enormous Crocodile is a must-watch in the Nottingham Puppet Festival. It is the perfect way to experience the joy,  fun and colour of puppetry. The designs and movement of the puppets are incredibly impressive. For the perfect family friendly show, head to the Theatre Royal and get lost in the jungle.   

Showing until Sunday 5 July. 

Find all things Puppet Festival here.