London's Arcola Theatre is currently hosting one of the most electrically charged productions of the season - Meghan Tyler's Crocodile Fever, a play that grabs audiences by the throat and refuses to let go.
A Belfast Kitchen Explodes
Set in 1989 Belfast during the height of the Troubles, the play transports us to a seemingly ordinary kitchen where two sisters' lives are about to detonate. What begins as a darkly comic family drama rapidly escalates into something far more dangerous and profound.
The production masterfully balances brutal humour with genuine pathos, creating an atmosphere where laughter and horror exist side by side. The sisters' relationship becomes a microcosm of the political turmoil raging outside their door.
Sisterhood Under Siege
At its heart, Crocodile Fever is a powerful exploration of sisterhood under extreme pressure. The dynamic between the two women - one pragmatic, the other rebellious - crackles with authenticity and unresolved tension.
Their personal struggles mirror the larger political conflict, asking difficult questions about freedom, responsibility, and what we owe to family versus what we owe to ourselves.
Theatre That Doesn't Play Safe
This isn't comfortable theatre. Tyler's writing is fearless, confronting difficult themes head-on while maintaining a surprising lightness of touch. The dialogue snaps with wit and intelligence, even as the situation grows increasingly desperate.
The production values are exceptional, with the intimate space of the Arcola adding to the sense of claustrophobia and immediacy. You're not just watching these events unfold - you're trapped in that kitchen with them.
Essential Viewing
Crocodile Fever represents everything that's exciting about contemporary theatre. It's bold, politically engaged, emotionally raw, and utterly compelling from start to finish.
For anyone interested in powerful storytelling that challenges as much as it entertains, this production is an absolute must-see. Meghan Tyler has announced herself as a major new voice in British theatre, and this play confirms that reputation with explosive force.
