Classic Penguins
Classic Penguins by Garry Starr is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Pleasance Courtyard. It has 23 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 21:20 to Sun 30 Aug, 21:20. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
International sell-out cult-hit Garry Starr is back, and is hell-bent on saving books from extinction by performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written. Mostly naked (but with flippers). Don't miss this 'very funny man who is peculiarly averse to wearing trousers' (Scotsman) as he returns to Edinburgh with a night of 'euphoric chaos' (Metro). 'Ingenious comic' (Guardian) wunderkind Starr takes us on a literary adventure through the world's most iconic novels. From The Little Prince to Moby Dick and everything in between, nothing is safe from being lampooned with his 'bonkers, ingenious' (Daily Mail) nincompoopery.
Details
- Performer: Garry Starr
- Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
- Space: Grand
- Genre: COMEDY, Clown, Interactive
- Country: AUSTRALIA
- Running time: 70 minutes
- Ed Fringe Guide rating: Ok
- Room size: about 750 seats (Grand) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 23, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: ramp
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Hearing loop
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Ramped entrance via driveway off main road. Seats while queuing available inside. Wheelchair access type:Permanent Ramp Stairs: None Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 3 published reviews and 61 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
(Starr) is a clown at the peak of his game, pushing the limits on every set play he possibly can. He embodies the penguin well and has so much fun in the show. The joy of Starr is infectious and wonderful to see.
— A Young(ish) Perspective (5 out of 5 stars)
This show is a great example of a performer who has really worked and honed their craft who can create instant chemistry with an audience, and take them with him on a journey of absurdity.
— From the North (5 out of 5 stars)
I booked this show knowing very little about it, other than it was about classic Penguin books; what a surprise I was in for.
— The Student (5 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £13.50
- Thu 6 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £13.50
- Fri 7 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Wed 19 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £20.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 21:20 — Already performed — £22.00