Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Garry Starr: Classic Penguins
Garry Starr
Venue: Underbelly George Square
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Garry Starr is back for another year of Classic Penguins. This blended sketch comedy performance is one of the funniest and most unique shows at the Fringe.
Review
For a second year, Australian performer Garry Starr has blessed audiences with his unique take on sketch comedy and classic literature. From the moment the large on-stage recliner turns to the audience, the vacuous Udderbelly theatre is full of laughter and joyful energy.
The fringe is a place for experimentation. The most exciting pieces of work are those that take risks and challenge our beliefs about what a show can, and should, be. Starr performs a masterclass in subversion and surprise. Rarely, if ever, can you enter a space where sketch comedy, classic books, and everyone’s favorite Antarctic bird mesh in perfect harmony. Each sketch is tied to a specific Penguin Classic, and each brings a unique angle into the show. No two moments are alike, meaning that what could be a rather lengthy performance goes by in the blink of an eye.
Starr’s character work is unmatched. He seamlessly flows in and out of various characters, convincing the audience of his alter egos without ever changing costume or physical appearance. He has crafted a flow that provides breathing room between sections where we meet the ‘real’ Garry Starr. These moments help reset the audience before another round of hilarious antics. Although an extremely similar show, these breaks felt more intentional than last year, which highlights a larger point about the evolution of the production.
By its nature, Classic Penguins should be unpolished. It should be raw, gritty, and feel like it belongs in a midnight slot at a sticky East Village bar. The black box Pleasance space Starr performed in last year definitely fed into this feeling. The set remained stripped back with only the most essential elements on stage. This time around, the show has moved into a much larger and grander venue, and the production value has gone up with a wonderfully designed iceberg taking center stage. I was worried when I entered that this new jazzed-up version would take away from the performance, but much to my surprise it didn’t. The extra few hundred seats didn’t stop Starr from working the entire room, and the performance felt just as intimate as before. This is a true testament to Starr’s comedic talent and performance excellence.
Even if you think naked antics aren’t for you, I’d give Classic Penguins a try. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and I promise, you may leave forever changed.
