Based on a remarkable true story, discover how the poor son of a miner became one of the greatest actors the world has ever known, with the help of an unlikely mentor.

In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, 1942, Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) lives as a wayward schoolboy, caught between the pressures of his struggling family, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. However, a new opportunity arises when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (BAFTA winner Toby Jones).

Taking Richard under his wing, the young man thrives under Philip’s strict tutelage and the guidance of kindly landlady, Ma Smith (Academy Award nominee Lesley Manville). However, as the acting world comes within Richard’s reach, the burden of his past risks holding him back forever.

Propelled by the deliciously dry wit of Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, this poignant dramedy follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening during a period of crisis in Argentina. Inspired by true events, The Penguin Lessons takes to heart the notion that saving someone’s life begins a new responsibility. In this case, that someone is a surprisingly wise, utterly adorable penguin.

The year is 1976. Tom (Coogan) lands in Buenos Aires to take up a teaching position at a prestigious English boarding school. The city is in the midst of political violence, but the headmaster (Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce) insists his school simply keep calm and carry on. That suits Tom just fine. When a coup d’état shuts down the school, he hops next door to Uruguay to party. A romantic foray leads to a walk along the beach, which leads to the sight of a penguin drenched in oil from a spill. Against his better judgment, Tom rescues the bird, which unlocks its undying loyalty. He's forced to sneak the flightless beast back to Argentina, and thus begins a strange and beautiful friendship.

Against the backdrop of crackdowns from the new dictatorship and echoes from Tom’s long-repressed past, the penguin becomes a sounding board and an unwitting agent of change for him and, ultimately, the whole school.

Helmed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty; Military Wives), The Penguin Lessons delivers this delightful true story with wit, warmth, and subtle insight into just how rewarding it can be to do the right thing

We are delighted to welcome Griff back to The Riverside stage. After the rapid sale of all the tickets for his January show. Griff is coming back for more stories. 

Join him as he shares more funny observations and comic anecdotes. He says he has lots more to tell. Griff rambles on the developing national permacrisis. Age. Family. Fraud. His mum. Nostalgia. The Tik Tok generation. Crocodile smuggling and noodling in Australia. Travel, dogs, hotels, drink and midnight trains. He takes questions from the audience and lets rip as his associations wander.