Theatre Royal Brighton – 28th & 29th March 2026
Sharp, snappy and fun, The Enormous Crocodile The Musical at Theatre Royal Brighton got its teeth into the audience from the very start. Based on Roald Dahl’s much loved story, it followed the swaggering, scheming crocodile as he crept through the jungle dreaming up increasingly daft ways to catch children for his lunch. It was fast, funny and packed with personality, with just the right balance of silliness and storytelling to keep younger audiences completely hooked.
The standout element throughout was the puppetry, which was clever, inventive and brilliantly executed. The crocodile was an absolute triumph, a large scale puppet that moved with surprising agility, snapping his jaws and swishing his tail, whether it was being ridden, wheeled around or various elements held by the cast. There was a wonderful sense of character in every movement, from his slow, sneaky prowling to his overconfident strut.
The design by Toby Olié, alongside co design and supervision from Daisy Beattie, showed a deep understanding of how to bring these creatures to life in a way that felt playful rather than gimmicky. You could see the performers at work, yet it never broke the illusion. Instead, it added to the magic, especially for the children, who watched every movement with complete fascination.
The supporting puppets were just as impressive. Each jungle creature had its own distinctive look and personality, from the bright, expressive birds to the larger animals like the monkey, hippo and bird who stood up to the crocodile’s plans. The way the puppets interacted with the performers and the set felt seamless, creating a world that was easy to believe in. The costumes, designed by Fly Davis, worked hand in hand with the puppetry, using bold colours, textured fabrics and clever shapes to extend the jungle aesthetic onto the human performers. Rather than competing with the puppets, the costumes complemented them, helping to blur the line between actor and creature. It was a smart approach that made the whole production feel cohesive.
The cast handled these demands with real skill. In the role of the Enormous Crocodile, Chelsea Da Silva delivered a confident and playful performance, giving the character a sinister and mischievous edge that kept the audience both amused and wary. The physicality required to operate the puppet while maintaining that level of characterisation was impressive, and it never slipped.
The talented ensemble took on multiple roles with Precious Abimbola as Trunky the Elephant, Jordan Eskeisa as Humpy Rumpy the Hippopotamus, Ciara Hudson as Roly Poly Bird and Marienella Phillip as Muggle Wump the Monkey. They shifted between characters, puppetry and musical performance with ease. Their teamwork was clear in the way they supported one another on stage, particularly during the more complex puppet sequences.
There was a strong sense of fun running through the performances, which translated directly to the audience. The other jungle creatures were full of warmth and humour, each bringing their own flavour to the story. Their interactions with the crocodile were a highlight, especially as they worked together to outwit his increasingly ridiculous schemes. The comic timing across the cast was spot on, landing jokes that had both children and adults laughing.
Musically, the show kept things moving at a lively pace. The songs by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab were catchy and upbeat, with lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra that captured the playful tone of Dahl’s writing. Additional music and lyrics by Tom Brady blended smoothly into the score, giving the show a consistent sound throughout. The numbers were well placed, building energy without slowing the action, and several had the audience quietly joining in before they were encouraged to fully take part later on.
Direction by Emily Lim kept everything tightly controlled while still allowing room for spontaneity and audience interaction. The pacing felt just right, with each scene flowing neatly into the next and plenty to keep younger viewers engaged. There was always something to catch the eye, whether it was a clever piece of puppetry, a costume detail or a burst of movement across the stage.
What really made the performance memorable was the response from the children in the audience. They were completely drawn in, reacting loudly to the crocodile’s antics and clearly enjoying every twist in the story. By the end, that excitement turned into full participation, with children invited to sing and dance along. It created a joyful atmosphere that carried through the final moments of the show and out into the foyer afterwards.
Overall, The Enormous Crocodile The Musical delivered a thoroughly entertaining experience, with standout puppetry, imaginative costumes and a cast that brought so much energy to the stage. It captured the mischief of Dahl’s story while adding its own theatrical flair, and judging by the delighted reactions all around, it was a performance that truly got its teeth into its audience and stayed there.
The Enormous Crocodile musical review – 5 stars
Photo credit: Danny Kaan
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