The Enormous Crocodile’s Chelsea Da Silva is bringing the villain to life with puppetry
The actor is originally from Nottingham
Nottingham Puppet Festival is officially back. As part of this special event, The Enormous Crocodile – the theatre show based on Roald Dahl’s classic tale – is coming to Theatre Royal.
I spoke with Croc’s actor and puppeteer Chelsea Da Silva, who hails from Nottingham, about how she got the role, what it’s like getting into character as Croc, and why the show is an important and entertaining watch for little ones.
If you’re looking for July events, The Enormous Crocodile is playing from July 2-5 (from £15pp, trch.co.uk). For more interviews and things to do, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
Interview: The Enormous Crocodile’s Chelsea Da Silva
By Eve Smallman
Photos by Danny Kaan
What is your background in musical theatre?
I was technically raised in Nottingham, and I got into musical theatre through a dance school called Tracy Quaife Theatre Dance School. I then went to Nottingham Girls Academy, where performing arts is quite a pivotal subject. I did some shows here and there in secondary school, and then my teacher Miss Horley encouraged me to audition for drama schools during sixth form. I auditioned for CERN, and that’s when I got a place at Italia Conti. I decided to go there for the BA Hons Musical Theatre degree, so I spent three years there in Surrey. I graduated, and then in a year’s time I found myself in this position.
Did you read any Roald Dahl growing up?
Absolutely. Roald Dahl is such an icon. I love Matilda, but my favourite has always been Fantastic Mr Fox. I think Roald Dahl is so great at painting images for kids. All of his language and the way he describes things, they’re so colourful to imagine, and so translating onto a stage production is such a great thing to watch.
How did you get the part of The Enormous Crocodile?
My agent sent me this audition, and I saw promotions of it at Regent’s Park Theatre in London. I’m always focused on the shows that are happening there, so my agent sent me this audition, and just reading the part I automatically loved it. I knew this character was so fun to play – it is such a mean role, and I find it fun playing male roles and the challenge of that.
I self-taped for that, sent it through, and got offered the second round in London. I was actually two hours late for the audition because of the tube strikes, which was horrible! Eventually, I got there. I remained calm and did the singing, dancing, and acting auditions.
In the acting audition, I got introduced to the puppets for the first time, so I met Croc and, I can’t lie, he was scary. The pictures do justice, but in real life he’s menacing. And so we practiced with the puppets, and that’s my first time doing puppetry. Two days later, I got a call from my agent, and I found out I got the job.
What is it like working with puppetry mechanics?
It was a bit scary, just because I don’t have any personal puppetry experience, so this role has taught me so much about puppetry – especially working with it and knowing how to embody it. It’s like you and the puppet are one.
At the start it was very difficult, especially as Croc is so heavy! I had to do a few press-ups for this one. There is a challenge of strength and maintaining muscular endurance throughout doing an hour show. You wouldn’t think it’s a lot because it is an hour-long show, but it’s so full out – every time Croc moves, I’m moving and responding to other puppets. It’s been really interesting and really fun. Every day I’m learning different things with Croc.
What do you enjoy about the role?
Seeing the reaction from the kids when they first see my puppet – I get a mix of gasping and crying, but it’s one of them where, as a kid, you know something is scary, but you want to see some more of it. I do think the kids find enjoyment in being introduced to Croc for the first time.
It’s also great seeing, after the show, the happiness and the enjoyment fulfilled. There’s been times where I have finished the show, I’m walking around the city, and people are just coming up to me saying how much they really enjoyed the show, as well as seeing the kids being impacted and being brave in trying to help defeat Croc.
For a lot of the children, it’s their first time watching a theatre show, because it’s for three-year-olds and plus. I definitely enjoy knowing that I’m influencing these kids in a great way and creating a magical memory for them.
How do you get into character as Croc?
At the start, when I was reading the script, I was thinking of all my favourite evil baddies from different shows, so I thought of Ursula and The Grinch. I was inspired by their funny moments and their evil laughs, so that’s what I used to prep myself for this role.
I also do singing exercises and actually even go to the gym in between, as Croc takes so much energy from me. It’s still so fun to do, so I have to know how to manoeuvre with the puppet whilst singing, whilst dancing, and whilst acting, so I have to keep my cardio up as well. I’m also always looking back at the script and reminding myself of who Croc is.
What do you enjoy about the story?
In terms of transferring the book onto stage, it does this really well – it’s always entertaining and it’s not overbearing, so it’s not overwhelming for kids to process what is happening. I like the fluidity of the show and how the story is very clear, so you know exactly where we are in the story. We start in the swamp and then finish in the jungle.
I like to see different animals as well throughout the story. We have Trunky the Elephant, who’s very brave in helping defeat Croc. We also have Roly-Poly Bird, Muggle-Wump, and Humpy-Rumpy. I really enjoy seeing all their journeys throughout their story and their character development.
This is on as part of Nottingham Puppet Festival – what do you find interesting about puppets?
There’s different levels of puppetry and different ones move in different ways. In our show, the Roly-Poly Bird moves differently from Trunky the Elephant. I also find it interesting how much energy is required for different puppets and connecting your body to the puppet.
For Roly-Poly Bird, she’ll have to incorporate her whole body because she only has her hand as the puppet. For Humpy-Rumpy, he needs to embody this shyness, as well as the way he walks needing to mimic a hippopotamus. Then, Trunky the Elephant has to mimic how strong elephant walks are. It’s interesting how, as an actor, you can embody different animals.
Are you excited about performing at Theatre Royal?
Yes! I performed there throughout my childhood – I was just one of those kids that was such an extra curriculum head. This is probably my fifth time performing at the theatre, and it’s such a full circle moment. I love Nottingham, so I’m incredibly excited to bring the show home.
Why should people go and see The Enormous Crocodile?
It’s so different from other family shows – whether it’s the lighting, the costumes, or the puppetry – and it’s just so mischievous. It breaks the rules – there’s singing and a bit of horror (but not too scary for the kids!). It’s so different because there’s a bit of everything involved.
It also has such a meaningful message for kids in terms of standing up for yourself. Growing up, you think you’re confident and brave, and then you go to school and meet other kids who may have more confidence than you – but you’re still confident and brave. I think the story does embed that into the kids.
The Enormous Crocodile is playing at Theatre Royal from July 2-5 (from £15pp, trch.co.uk), and is part of Nottingham Puppet Festival which is on until July 5 (mix of free and ticketed events, nottinghampuppetfestival.co.uk).
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