Jhb croc to join theatre cast

2007-10-26 21:25

Johannesburg - Actors in a Peter Pan pantomime opening in the Johannesburg Civic Theatre shortly will take special care how they treat a key cast member.

On stage will be a special guest from the Johannesburg Zoo - a 3.5m crocodile.

Senior zoo official Stephen van der Spuy said on Friday the theatre had a major problem finding a crocodile for the show that opens on November 4.

"In desperation they contacted the zoo and, by luck, we had a very tame hand-reared crocodile."

Named Rolex, the crocodile was scheduled to arrive at the theatre on Monday morning.

It would be loaded and escorted by zoo keepers to ensure a safe journey and arrival for the reptile.

Rolex would have at least a week for "rehearsals" before the official opening of the show.

The play is a tale of adventure and dreams of Peter Pan and his gang.

It is a classic story, also featuring Captain Hook, whose hand is bitten off by a crocodile.

Rolex is unlikely to take his role that seriously.

"He is a well-behaved crocodile and we have never experienced any problems with him," Van der Spuy said.

- SAPA