In a bid to meet some real-life friends, the lead character of Birmingham Hippodrome's next new musical, One Tiny Penguin, waddled to West Midlands Safari Park to launch the festive family show.

Lead actor Dylan Collymore who plays Lumi the penguin, joined his puppet counterpart at the park’s penguin habitat and met some new feathered friends ahead of starting rehearsals at Birmingham Hippodrome.

One Tiny Penguin is the third production in the theatre’s acclaimed My First Musical series, following 5-star hits No Such Thing as Wolves, and The Jingleclaw, produced by the Hippodrome’s New Musical Theatre department.

Opening at Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday 5 December 2026 and running until Sunday 3 January 2027, One Tiny Penguin follows Lumi, a little penguin with a very big job. Every year, a polar bear is chosen to light up the Northern Lights but this year, the special job falls to One Tiny Penguin. Lumi must gather all his courage to travel the world, venturing out from the North Pole, to Chile, South Africa – and all the way to the South Pole. On his adventures Lumi makes new friends and learns what it means to belong.

Joining Dylan Collymore as Lumi are: Sarah Palmer (Eira), Benedict Hastings (Sky), Sam Denia (Pablo) and Clara Abdilla Joslin (Bonola).

The festive musical promises a memorable theatre experience for audiences aged three and over, featuring snow-stopping songs, magical puppetry, and a heart-melting tale of bravery and friendship.

One Tiny Penguin will play at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio Saturday 5 December 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are available from birminghamhippodrome.com