Crocodile Rock

Steven is 17. He’s grown up in Millport, the only town on a little island off the West coast of Scotland, notable only for the rock that’s painted like a crocodile and juts out of the water in the Firth of Clyde. His dad runs the local pub, The Pier, with a firm but largely fair hand, happy to build a business as his legacy to his only son. His mum runs a B&B in the family home. Steven always felt a little bit different growing up – like he didn’t quite fit in. His crush on his schoolmate Henry shows up the difference in sharp relief. But thanks to an intervention from a sparkly stranger, Steven finally figures out what matters most.

Crocodile Rock is a musical written and directed by Andy Mcgregor. But Darren Brownlie‘s performance is so convincing that you’ll quickly forget it’s a script and get lost in Steven’s story. The action unfolds through a mix of dialogue and catchily infectious tunes that Brownlie belts out with impressive vocal strength with Musical Director Hilary Brooks on the keys. The lyrics have none of the tortured moulding into shape to fit the rhyme characterised by inferior musicals. Instead, they sizzle with gallus wit and wisdom.

Such is the captivating energy of Brownlie’s performance, you’ll find yourself rooting for Steven from the get go. This audience cheered at several points. There’s plenty of heartbreak in this story but ultimately, Crocodile Rock is a rallying cry for letting people live whatever version of their life they’d like, epitomised in Brownlie’s gorgeous soaring vocals on the brilliantly anthemic ‘Who I Want To Be’.

The set is Fringe-ily fit for purpose and enables the speedy swoop from The Pier to Steven’s bedroom to the island’s coastline and back again. The costumes are fun – go see the show to find out why. Amidst the story about small town disappointment and devastating rejection, there’s a wider heart-warming theme about Scotland as a home of inclusion – the stars on this Clyde will stay with you long after the final chords have faded.