GARRY STARR, Classic Penguins

5 stars ~

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Fringe ~

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 fast-moving 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 regency tailcoat, ruffle, pipe and flippers, looking every bit a penguin, or does he?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 RoxyReviews for One4Review on 18 Aug 2024