It was a magical afternoon at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and four to eight year olds were on their way to, for some, their first exciting theatrical experience.  For me, accompanied by my five year old granddaughter Esmé it was the best introduction to live theatre I could have wished for.  Esmé was there with pencil and notebook to write her own review. 

A quick visit to the merchandise stand for fridge magnets and a crocodile keyring and we were set to enter the auditorium.  A wondrous jungle scene awaited us, the tropical plants forming a green backdrop with the Royal Park’s native trees.  In the centre are clumps of palm trees which can move and provide cover for the animals and children. Entertaining the audience pre-show were the actors flying dragonflies and mixing with the audience. 

Our first view of the Enormous Crocodile (Malinda Parris) saw her going to the dentist with puppet Plover birds intrepidly flying into her mouth to clean her teeth in a show of symbiosis.  It is no accident that these thrilling puppets are designed by Toby Olié who also designed the puppets for Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away at the London Coliseum.