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The Crocodile of Old Kang Pow

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A comic opera set in 18th century Paris and a tropical jungle. One’s a fetid swamp, and the other has a lot of crocodiles.

The Marquis De Sade has lost his libido and must find it or lose his head to the chopping block of Marie Antoinette. His quest takes him to a mythical world to petition its Crocodile God of fertility, who is having libido-related problems of his own…

By utilising opera, gospel, puppetry, elixirs, profanity, irreverence and high art with low morals and swashbuckling sword fights, creator Darren Berry weaves an elaborate, engaging, cautionary tale. 

Theatre company Reptilian will workshop and perform ‘The Croc’ at The Playground Theatre, London, with: 4 live & 2 virtual singer/actors, musicians, giant puppets and multimedia creatures score.

This will be part of the development stage of a truly unique piece of theatre which will entertain, delight & disturb audiences, as well as challenging any pre-conceptions of opera anyone ever may have had.

Music and Words: Darren Berry
Director: Eleanor Burke
Marquis de Sade: Phil Wilcox
Virgin Sacrifice, Justine & Marie Antoinette:Caroline Kennedy
Momolow, the High Priestess of O’fela: Susan Harriott
O’Fela, the Crocodile God: Oscar Dom Vitello Castellino
The Wizard Mystah Byegee: Jackson Scott
The Pure Ones, Acolytes of O’fela: Zoe Devlin
Messenger : Emily Raiher
Goddess of Thunderballs : Helen Karikari
Pianist: Eddie Giffney
Violinist: Clementine Brown
Narrator: Darren Berry
Choreography: Christian Holder
Puppet Maker: Seb Mayer
Shadow Puppetry: Drew Colby
Headdresses: Natasha Lawes
Production Design and Costume: Rosy Thomas
Production: Rosy Thomas, Gus Robertson,
Production Assistants : Harry Salter, Ivy Lindner, Maya Bond
We do not accept Amex.
DARREN BERRY – Creator, Composer and covid gimp
PHIL WILCOX - Baritone
CAROLINE KENNEDY - Soprano
EMILY RAIHER – The Messenger
SUSAN HARRIOTT - the high priestess Momolow
JACKSON SCOTT – The Wizard Mystah Byegee
CHRISTIAN HOLDER - Director
ELEANOR BURKE - assistant director
GUS ROBERTSON - co-producer
ROSY THOMAS - costume, props & production design

Darren Berry is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, session musician, musical director, orchestral arranger and composer. His work includes the HBO series Art-land, Channel 4’s The Turner Prize, along with installations at the Tate modern and winning a Grammy for the eponymously titled “La Roux” album. 

Phil Wilcox is a graduate of both Leeds College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music and has sung as a soloist for Buxton Festival Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company, Waterperry Opera Festival, Retrospect Opera, Merry Opera Company, XOGA, Northern Opera Group, Proper Opera and Opera on Location. 

Caroline Kennedy is a graduate from The RSAMD’s Alexander Gibson Opera School. She has sung and covered roles with companies such as ENO, Scottish Opera, Mid Wales Opera, Nevill Holt Opera, Grange Park Opera, Opera Holland Park, Buxton Opera, Bampton Classical Opera and Tête à Tête.

Emily Raiher is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer and music therapist from London who studied at Guildhall, and the royal academy of music. Emily has composed for film and most recently the Eden project, as well as DJing around the world, working with artists from hip hop legends de la soul to uk garage stalwart zed bias.

Susan Harriott has a been a professional singer for almost thirty years. Trained at Italia Conti,  she toured the globe extensively with Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend, Rumer and Mutya Buena (Sugar Babes) and her backing vocals can be heard on the tracks of Adele, Madonna, Michael Bolton, Westlife, and many more. 

Jackson Scott was born in Seville to British parents. His music is steeped in flamenco flourishes embellish song-writing reminiscent of the late 60′s Kinks and Syd Barrett, but with a more anarchic attitude; unusual jazz-influenced chords crossover with New Orleans/Rock ‘n Roll beats against a constant backdrop of rumbas and strong Hispanic rhythms.

Christian Holder was a leading dancer with New York’s Joffrey Ballet in the 60s and 70s, and he has choreographed and designed costumes for American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Théâtre de Bordeaux, amongst other companies. Christian now has a career as a solo cabaret vocalist, having performed at the Crazy Coqs, in Piccadilly’s Brazerie Zédel, and at Chelsea’s, The Pheasantry. 

Eleanor Burke is the Founder and Artistic Director of Green Opera and has been awarded a Junior Artists Fellowship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2020-21).
as an Assistant Director.

Gus Robertson is a Guitarist, impresario, creative director, curator, DJ, promoter Gus curates immersive rock’n’roll shows known as “The Great Brain Robbery” at some of the UK's leading festivals.

Rosy Thomas is a London based production designer who has been working in film, television, and live events for 25 years. She has been involved in all aspects and performances of the Crocodile of Old Kang Pow since it’s inception in 2015.

Running time - 2 Hours including a 20 mn interval
Recommended for ages 14+
3rd August to 5th August
 2021
Tickets (All unreserved)


General Admission £12

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Location

The Playground Theatre
Latimer Rd London W10 6RQ

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