Rachael Rooney in Crocodile Fever at the Arcola

Rachael Rooney gives a standout performance as Alannah Devlin in Crocodile Fever, now playing at the Arcola Theatre. As the dutiful sister trapped in a repressive Northern Irish home, Rooney captures Alannah’s obsessive precision and pent-up emotion with remarkable control. Critics praise her transformation from a tense, devout caretaker to a woman unravelling in fury and liberation.

See a selection of reviews below:

From Theatre Weekly:

“Rachael Rooney’s portrayal of Alannah was captivating. Her embodiment of the character featured an inspiring inner rhythm that created a touching connection with themes of composure and dreams — it was truly mesmerising.”

From WhatsOnStage:

“Rachael Rooney is superb as Alannah, whose performative prissiness, which has evolved into full-on OCD, is her weapon of self-protection. In one memorable sequence, she makes a piece of toast with ostentatious precision “like it’s a sacrament”.”

From All That Dazzles:

“Rachael Rooney manages to be even more memorable as Alannah. From the look of vein-bursting stress that appears the moment a mess is made, to the delivery of lines that would sound ludicrous if not for her conviction, to a blood-curdling, and blood-drawing, rage that she later lets loose, Rooney is utterly magnificent.”