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Pedro the Penguin

 
Nicholas Abrams Review by Nicholas Abrams 5 Published: 6 Jul 2026 165 Front St E Show Dates: 7 Jul 2026-11 Jul 2026

I'll admit it – my expectations weren't especially high walking into Pedro the Penguin. The flyer being thrust into my hand looked a little rough around the edges and, on reading the programme, I discovered the show had originally been written as a 10-minute playwriting assignment at the George Brown Theatre School. It sounded like one of those well-intentioned student projects that had grown into something bigger.

One of the finest children's shows I've seen in years.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

This is one of the finest children's shows I've seen in years. In a packed theatre filled with families, I watched children sit completely mesmerised while the adults laughed just as often. That's no easy balance to achieve, but Pedro the Penguin manages it effortlessly.

The story follows Pedro, a penguin who accidentally finds himself at the North Pole while searching for the South Pole. There he befriends a colourful cast of characters and, when one of Santa's reindeer is injured, sees an opportunity to fulfil his impossible dream of flying. It's a familiar tale of believing in yourself, but it's told with such warmth, wit and confidence that it feels wonderfully fresh.

The writing is the show's greatest strength. The jokes genuinely land, not simply because they're aimed at children, but because they're funny. Throwaway lines, such as Pedro casually ordering, "Make it two hot chocolates," after an exhausting training session, had the adults laughing just as much as the children. There's an assuredness to the script that never talks down to its audience.

Interestingly, the production doesn't rely heavily on audience participation, and it's stronger for it. Instead, the audience becomes involved naturally. The villains are loudly booed, the heroes enthusiastically cheered, and the atmosphere becomes delightfully pantomimic without ever feeling forced.

The cast are excellent throughout. Pedro is an engaging central character, but it's the supporting performances that really elevate the production. Dale Rideout's Slushy the Snowman is irresistibly charming, while Tim Walker brings huge personality to Rock Collins. Philip Diamond is superb as the deliciously villainous Richard the Reindeer, particularly during one inspired moment when, struggling to be heard over the audience's boos, Ernest Elfington silently hands him a toy microphone so he can "speak louder". It's a tiny comic beat, but one that perfectly sums up the show's attention to detail.

As the performance ends, the cast invite the children on to the stage to meet Pedro and Slushy. Within seconds they are surrounded by excited youngsters desperate for a hug or photograph. It's the perfect ending to a show that has completely won over its audience.

Whether you have children or not, Pedro the Penguin is an absolute delight. Funny, heartwarming and beautifully performed, it's everything family theatre should be.

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The Blurb:

Pedro the Penguin, written by Philip Diamond, is a family friendly production about a young penguin who dreams of flying - of course penguins can’t fly, but Pedro’s not going to let that stop him from soaring high. When opportunity arises and one of Santa’s reindeer gets injured he knows this is his chance.