Michael Jean-Marian is proudly representing our city as Associate Puppetry Director for the Roald Dahl Story Company’s charming production of Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile The Musical, which is currently touring the USA before returning to the Theatre Royal in June. Your Local Link caught up with Michael (actor, puppeteer, and York resident) to have a chinwag about classic children’s stories, the enduring popularity of Roald Dahl, and Star Wars!
Hi Michael, how does it feel to be representing York on the world stage?
The city has a wonderful reputation, so hopefully I can do it justice. I’ve toured here in previous years, so it’s incredible to be coming back to the Theatre Royal with a show as Associate Puppetry director.
You’re known as both an actor and a puppeteer – what are your main influences in each field?
A huge turning point for me was working with Sally Cookson on a stage adaptation of Hetty Feather. I had seen the production in the West End and was blown away. I didn’t realise there were shows that blended such wonderful physical storytelling with enchanting music. I was fortunate to join the next tour as an Understudy/ASM, and absorbed everything I could. War Horse was also a huge influence for me, and working with Toby Olié over the past few years in various capacities brought me to a place in my puppetry career I could only have dreamed of.
You’ve previously worked on children’s classics like The Gruffalo’s Child, War Horse, Three Little Pigs, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – but what was your favourite children’s story growing up?
I think we had a cassette from a box of Tetley’s tea bags that had The Man by Raymond Briggs on it – I remember listening to that story repeatedly!
What is it about Roald Dahl’s stories that appeal to successive generations of adults and children alike?
The stories always felt a bit mischievous to me, and perhaps everyone embraces that whilst reading them. It wasn’t always about good and bad or right and wrong; you just followed wild characters through even wilder circumstances.
What can audiences expect from this new production of The Enormous Crocodile?
It really is a rollercoaster of a show! All our characters are full of life and energy – you can’t help but get wrapped up in their escapades. And, with 26 different puppets in the show, there’s always something wildly imaginative just around the corner.
We were excited to see you working on Star Wars: Andor. Are you a Star Wars fan, and how did it feel to be part of such a famous franchise?
I’m absolutely a Star Wars fan! I remember saving up and buying a remote control AT-AT when I was younger! It likely inspired my love of practical creatures and puppets somewhere along the way. I’m such a small part of it, but even that little bit feels quite unbelievable. The CFX department truly make magic happen – even stepping foot in the workshop was genuinely astounding.
You worked as a puppeteer on Animal Farm, but which farmyard animal would you choose to be?
I would probably be a Border Collie, full of enthusiasm, but not necessarily good at rounding up sheep.
Michael, what’s next on the horizon?
I’m getting ready to start rehearsals for the next tour of The Enormous Crocodile, which will be stopping at the York Theatre Royal next June… I cannot wait!
The Enormous Crocodile is running at The Lowry, Salford (10 Dec-4 Jan) and York Theatre Royal (25-28 June). If you happen to be in the USA, you can also catch the show at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, MN (1 Oct – 23 Nov) and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles, CA (5 Dec – 4 Jan). Visit www.enormouscrocodilemusical.com/tour-dates for details.
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