THE BASICS: Irish Classical Theatre Company (ICTC) presents Crocodile Fever by Meghan Tyler from May 30 – June 15, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online at www.irishclassical.comvv, by phone at 716-853-4282 or in person at the ICTC Box Office. See Box Office hours on ICTC’s website – 625 Main Street, Buffalo.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: In Crocodile Fever, a seething kitchen in 1989 Northern Ireland becomes the battleground for two estranged sisters forced to confront the monstrous legacy of their past. As repressed Alannah tends to their ailing father, her sister Fianna crashes back into her life with blood on her boots and revolution on her mind. What follows is a high-octane collision of trauma, redemption, and absurdity, that’s as hilarious as it is harrowing. This is not your typical family reunion, and explores what happens when women stop trying to quietly survive and start fighting back.
Content Notes: This play deals with depictions and/or mentions of child, domestic and sexual abuse, themes of trauma and revenge, graphic violence and gore, war, strong language, and substance abuse. Additionally, the performance features haze, smoke, flashing lighting effects, and loud sounds.
RUNTIME: Approximately 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:
This is a top notch production. The casting of the three leads is immaculate and direction by Keelie A. Sheridan is very strong. There are astounding performances and first class tech with special mention to Matthew DiVita for the vivid lighting and Mason Beggs for imaginative sound design. The puppet by J. Matt Quattlebaum was a lot more impressive than the bruin which appeared earlier this season in a production at a theatre down the street or the anthropomorphic being featured in a play that recently closed in the suburbs or the creature from space in a play on Elmwood last season. A lot of new playwrights are using this same convention. Their bent is to delve into the surreal, but being so literal reduces the magic.
Sparks fly with the actresses playing the polar opposite sisters onstage. Cassie Cameron is breathtaking in the exhausting and extremely emotionally demanding role of the compliant sister who finally lets go. Anna Krempholtz, who amazes me with her talent and versatility every time I see her onstage, gives another perfect performance – this time as the rebellious, outspoken sister. The distasteful role of their abusive father is played with great power by Christopher Guilmet.
It is clear that the Irish Classical Theatre Company is veering towards new playwrights and away from traditional ones these days – perhaps to attract a younger audience. Next year’s season was just announced and it will sport several premieres. Although “new” doesn’t seem as fresh as perhaps it should. This script, for example, brought to mind Extremities – a 1980’s play/film about women who relish torturing the man who had tortured them — with the torture getting worse and worse as the evening progresses.
During intermission, I surveyed the people sitting near me in the audience. Everyone agreed that this was a fine production. The younger audience members said that they were getting a lot out of the play itself and it was a very satisfying evening of theatre, and the older audience members said they prefer comedies and wish the Irish Classical Theatre would perform Noel Coward again – at least sometimes.