Crocodile Fever
this weekend in London
Two sisters unleash rage, horror and dark comedy in a bloody Irish revenge tale about family trauma and rebellion.
Things to Know Before You Go
Updated: Thu 16 Jul, 18:00 London time
Is there a Saturday matinee for Crocodile Fever this weekend?
No Saturday performance this weekend.
What time does the Crocodile Fever Sunday show start this weekend?
No Sunday performance this weekend.
What's the cheapest Crocodile Fever performance this weekend?
Check the performance list above for prices.
How dark is the comedy actually — and what register does it sit in?
Riotously dark. Meghan Tyler's play sits in the tradition of Martin McDonagh and Conor McPherson without imitating either — Northern Irish, blackly comic, prepared to use cartoonish violence as punctuation. The Guardian's 'feminist fury and anti-colonial rage' line is fair; the actual experience is closer to a Tarantino film made by women, with the Troubles as a real shadow rather than a quotation.
Arcola Theatre — what to know about the venue?
Dalston's flagship new-writing house — a converted paint factory off Ashwin Street, two performance spaces (Studio 1 is the main room, Studio 2 is the smaller). The Arcola does not stand on theatre ceremony; the foyer is a working café-bar with a left-wing local clientele, the bar prices are sensible and the rake is steep enough that no one blocks anyone. Walk in from Dalston Junction or Dalston Kingsland.
Content warnings — what's actually manageable in the room?
Significantly more than the warning list reads. The violence is staged in a cartoon register — abundant blood, fake firearms, comically excessive — and the references to abuse are landed rather than dwelt on. Audience members with personal experience of the topics flagged should still take the warnings seriously, but the comic register softens what reads on paper as relentless. Sixteen-plus is realistic, not cautious.
What is Crocodile Fever about?
Crocodile Fever centres on two estranged sisters reunited in their dilapidated family home in 1980s Northern Ireland. One has stayed behind, clinging to faith and routine, while the other storms back into the house determined to upset the fragile peace. Their night together erupts into chaos as buried secrets, political tensions and long-suppressed anger explode into darkly comic, violent mayhem.
What is the tone of the play?
The play is a pitch-black comedy with strong elements of horror and farce. It is both very funny and deliberately shocking, using surreal twists and extreme situations to explore themes of patriarchy, trauma, religion and the legacy of the Troubles.
Are there any content warnings for Crocodile Fever?
Yes. The production includes depictions of loud noise, onstage violence, bloodshed and smoking, as well as euphemistic references to child sexual abuse. It is not suitable for sensitive younger viewers or anyone who prefers their theatre gentle and low-key.
How long does Crocodile Fever run?
The performance runs for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no interval. The action is continuous, adding to the sense of momentum and mounting chaos.
What age is Crocodile Fever suitable for?
Crocodile Fever is generally suitable for audiences aged 16 and above. The combination of strong language, graphic moments and adult themes makes it a show aimed firmly at mature theatregoers.
Where is Crocodile Fever being performed?
The production is staged at the Arcola Theatre in East London, a venue known for showcasing adventurous new writing and politically aware work in an intimate, atmospheric setting.
About this show
Darkly funny, politically charged and gloriously unrestrained, Crocodile Fever hurls you into a crumbling farmhouse in 1980s Northern Ireland, where two very different sisters are forced back under the same roof. Alannah has stayed behind, clinging to routine, religion and the fragile order she has built; Fi returns with a suitcase, a sharp tongue and no intention of keeping the peace. As old secrets surface and the night spirals out of control, their reunion becomes a wild, violent reckoning with family and faith, played out against the backdrop of a country in turmoil. Equal parts horror, farce and cathartic release, this is a ferocious love letter to messy sisterhood for audiences who like their theatre bold, bloody and unapologetically strange.
Other plays this weekend
The Mousetrap
The Play That Goes Wrong
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Witness for the Prosecution
Museum Tours This Weekend
British Museum
Tower of London
Madame Tussauds London
Tate Modern
Attraction Tours This Weekend
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (Harry Potter)
Windsor Castle
Westminster Abbey
