one4review | On 19, Aug 2024

Garry Starr, Classic Penguins is in that rare breed of Edinburgh Fringe
show where every member of the audience is having a good time, with so
much fun, shrieking and guffawing with laughter, then ultimately
erupting into an excited spontaneous standing ovation. Garry commands
the stage throughout, and there is no doubt that this amazing, largely
physical show deserves 5+++ stars, but how to write the review without
giving the essence of the show away?

It will be a relief to some that from early on it is clear there is no
need to have read even a single Penguin Classic, as these just provide a
fastmoving framework for the show, which opens deceivingly slowly with
Garry sitting in a swivel chair, his back to the audience in a black
coachman hat, black tailcoat, ruffle, pipe and flippers, looking every
bit a penguin.

The numerous elements of the show provide opportunities for sketches or
some activity on stage so there are multiple scenarios. Things move
fast, with Garry at one point saying “I’ll be fine as long as I don’t do
anything stupid” and then of course he does.

No one in the audience is excluded from a good humoured escapade at some
point, but some eager souls go further by volunteering to take part in a
scene without any idea of what to expect, and we all have great fun
watching them joyfully participate.

This is an extremely clever, inventive and beautifully creative show
that is artistic, delightful, joyful, exuberant and occasionally
poignant. Not only that, but it is probably the most fun that audiences
can have with their clothes on, and undoubtedly is more than anyone
could possibly hope for, confirmed by the always smiling audience
applauding at every opportunity, while still grinning and enthusing as
they leave.

Garry Starr, Classic Penguins deserves every atom of the five huge
glowing stars that it is possible to award

Reviewed by HJ
Pleasance Courtyard, Forth

20:30 (1hr) until 26 Aug (not 21)
Restrictions: 18+
Warnings: Audience participation, Nudity, Strobe lighting, Haze