Showing @ MacRobert Theatre, Stirling, until Sat 24 Dec

Can you ever have too many penguins? It’s a question that keeps the best of us awake at night. For Mr. Polaro (Samuel Jameson) however, it’s not his arctic habitat which is in danger, but his sanity as he finds penguins popping out of draws and sliding out from under his chair. As his friend Penguina (Nicola Jo Cully) invites the little birds to join them in their arctic home, just how many penguins will be too many?

Heather Fulton’s cutesy production suits the target 0-3 year olds well as its eloquently gentle soundtrack soothes the wee ones – and provides a bit of nostalgia for the oldies. Kay Wilson’s simple yet quirky set, made up of little bits and pieces from a toy lighthouse to a camping tent, creates a playful environment which matches the raw innocence at the heart of this production. It’s a comforting tale of endearing friendship and overcoming loneliness which comes from the charm of the toy penguins that keep appearing – supported by Jameson and Cully’s perfectly winsome performances. This sense of warmth and purity feels somewhat cleansing as the production glows with a serene beauty unrivalled in many of the Christmas shows this year.