Toronto Fringe Festival 2026
Pedro the Penguin
Participatory Players
Genre: Children's Theatre
Venue: Young People's Theatre
Festival: Toronto Fringe Festival
Low Down
Pedro the Penguin is a charming show for young children that adults will also enjoy. It is the story of a penguin who passionately wants to be able to fly but doesn’t have the skills. Through many characters and locations, Pedro finds friends and encounters enemies, but learns to believe in himself.
Review
Pedro the Penguin is a charming show for young children that adults will also enjoy. It is the story of a penguin who passionately wants to be able to fly but doesn’t have the skills. He sets off on a journey that takes the audience through many characters and locations, as Pedro finds friends and encounters enemies.
Pedro is a circus act who is supposed to fly but hasn’t figured out how to do that. He is fired from the circus and heads north to pursue his dreams. The seven actors transform to various characters as the story unfolds.
Pedro boards a ship but the seas become very rough. The actors, who have great physical theatre skills, portray the boat rocking on the unstable ocean. They land at the North Pole, where Pedro’s expedition really begins.
He encounters many characters. Slushy the Snowman (think “Frosty”) befriends Pedro, continually assuring him that anything is possible if he just believes in himself. Pedro meets Santa’s reindeer. A comic, outrageous character is a very camp Richard the Reindeer, son of Rudolph the Reindeer (this is one of many plays on names of familiar pop or storybook characters). There is an opening for a new reindeer on Santa’s team. Both Richard and Pedro are determined to grab the slot.
The reindeer go through various trials, with exaggerated movement and costumes. There is a speed race, a dance race complete with pop dance routines, and, most importantly, the flying race. Throughout these competitions, the audience is cheering on Pedro, in true Panto style. Pedro is working against odds, as penguins cannot fly, but he is constantly reminded to focus on his dream. I won’t spoil the ending but suffice it to say that the audience applauded heartily at the race results.
Throughout we are reminded that determination, friendship, and courage are the best tools. Kids and parents can relate to the challenges, the heartbreaks, and the successes. The cast members are truly chameleons, handily taking on multiple roles. Jaiden French as Pedro truly grabs our hearts with the winsome portrayal of an underdog. Philip Diamond as Richard the Reindeer is brilliantly over-the-top smarmy and conceited. Dale Rideout as Slushy the Snowman is charming and very relatable. The full ensemble handily works well together, changing costumes and characters with ease. The set easily transforms into multiple locations.
Pedro the Penguin was originally written as an assignment for a playwriting class at George Brown Theatre School in 2025. Initially the show was 10 minutes long, but this is the 45-minute version. The writers have conquered the challenge of keeping the attention of little ones in a longer show by building in excellent pacing, big musical numbers, very funny routines, and some tender moments. The full package is effective and entertaining. The show clearly encourages the kids to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacle. It is enjoyable not just for the little kids but also fun for the adults.
As the show has won a Fringe award, it will continue its run beyond the main Toronto Fringe Festival.
