Following a major redevelopment by leading architects Foster Wilson Size (Barbican Concert Hall, The Other Palace, Norwich Theatre Royal), spanning a 12-year journey, Polka Theatre will unveil its newly refurbished building. Re-imagining what a dedicated children’s theatre could and should be, the extensive transformation of the venue aims to improve the quality and functionality of the existing space, providing a vibrant hub for the local community and beyond.
The state-of-the-art renovation includes a new early year’s theatre, a new rehearsal and development studio, and a creative learning studio aimed at children with sensory needs, as well as improved access throughout. The building also includes a café, shop, and venue space for private hire, providing economic sustainability to ensure the theatre’s longevity for future years.
Polka Theatre reopens at a time when access to the arts for young people is needed more than ever. As just one of a handful of dedicated children’s venues in the UK, the remodelling signifies an important milestone for the theatre, putting it back on the map as a world-class venue that continues to facilitate developments in children’s theatre, nurture artistic talent in the sector, and maintain an international reputation while serving local communities.
Central to the design approach was the aspiration to create a more welcoming and stimulating destination for children and their guardians. The main building has been opened and extended by expanding sideways into an adjoining former retail unit. A new glazed entrance transforms visibility from the street and welcomes visitors into a central spine corridor, leading into a new box office and shop on one side and a large and airy café on the other. By placing all public areas at the front of the site, they can operate independently when the main building is closed, generating further revenue for the theatre.
Polka’s ambitious redevelopment seeks to unlock children’s imaginations and creative potential by providing spaces for them to dream and think. Working in collaboration with stage designer Laura McEwan, Foster Wilson Size has revitalised the space with exciting and fresh interiors. The existing main foyer features a large indoor Y C Chan Play Den with a bespoke, river-inspired carpet designed by Laura McEwan and manufactured by Ege Carpets. The outdoor area boasts a sensory garden led by award-winning gardener Patrick Collins, as well as a play area, including a purpose-built treehouse climbing frame created by play specialists The Space to Play. Distinctive external fretwork, fabricated by theatre signage specialists Newman Displays, is made of perforated aluminium screen and depicts a jungle scene while providing solar shading to the south and east facing windows.
A new purpose-built creative Clore Learning Studio sits behind the main foyer providing interactive, sensory activities for use by children with sensory or special educational needs. Accessibility has been significantly improved throughout and, for the first time, level access to the main theatre is provided for visitors and performers. The main theatre has been retained and lightly refurbished with new seating by Evertaut, while a new 100-seat Adventure Theatre, which is the first purpose-built UK theatre for under 6s, is located in a new building to the rear and is reconfigurable to suit the needs of both incoming productions and Polka’s own early years productions. The Nest; a new dedicated rehearsal and development studio, equipped with storage and catering facilities, is located directly above the Adventure Theatre. Separating the two is a double acoustic floor that provides sound separation between the two spaces.
Polka’s Young Voices Panel (8–13 year olds who advise the theatre on all operational plans) were strong advocates for ensuring the building’s green credentials and consequently, at the heart of the redevelopment is a focus on minimising environmental impact. Improvements include a Building Management System that not only controls temperature and CO2 levels but contributes to Covid safety by improving air flow, as well as the addition of PV panels on the roof, improved thermal efficiency, and LED lights throughout.
The renewal of Polka into a state-of-the-art facility has been made possible due to the support of a wide range of generous funders, from businesses to the public. Polka was also a recipient of £2.5m National Lottery funding through Arts Council England and the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, a £70 million regeneration programme supporting growth and community development in London, delivered through the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP). The project also received vital support from the Government’s Cultural Capital Kickstart Fund to help complete the works.
Lynette Shanbury, Polka’s Executive Director and Joint CEO comments, This redevelopment has been over 15 years in the planning and it is extraordinary to finally be open at a time when people, particularly children, need creative outlets more than ever. Alongside two significantly improved theatre spaces, the new facilities for our audiences – free open-access indoor and outdoor play areas, larger café, hireable spaces, and spaces for school use – will ensure Polka continues as a vital community hub. We want to thank all our supporters and funders from the bottom of our hearts because without their commitment and faith in this project we would not have got to this point.
Tim Foster, Consultant Architect, Foster Wilson Size adds, We were first appointed to work on the Polka project in 2009 and it is a real pleasure to see it finally completed in 2021. The design has been through many iterations over that period, and we’re delighted to see it open at a time when access to the arts for young people is so important.
Following the reopening, Polka Theatre is continuing to improve the sustainability of the areas of the building not featuring in the initial phase of the redevelopment project. It is currently fundraising for Phase 2 which will include an increased number of solar panels, electrical upgrades to improve energy usage, and advanced heating technologies that reduce thermal efficiency.
