Following their re-opening season in 2021, Polka Theatre has announced its new programme of children’s shows for January to August 2022.
From sensory play to awesome adventures, these world-class family theatre shows will run alongside a wide variety of workshops and activities for children of all ages.
In the Main Theatre, there’s adventure at every twist and turn with a season of big stories and tales for all ages. Gorgeous literary revival How To Hide A Lion, which brings Helen Stephens’ beloved children’s tale to life with playful humour and stunning puppetry, is adapted by Polka’s Artistic Director Peter Glanville and features original music and songs by Barb Jungr (We’re Going On A Bear Hunt). In a co-production with Polka Theatre and Derby Theatre, the award-winning Hiccup Theatre spin music, puppetry, BSL and storytelling into The Emperor’s New Clothes. It’s going to be a swashbuckling summer with The Pirate, The Princess and The Platypus, created by the brilliant minds behind Potted Potter and Potted Panto – come and join this magical musical world of pirate kings, queens, frogs, tall towers and shipwrecks!
Over in the Adventure Theatre, Ready, Steady, GO!, written and directed by Polka’s Artistic Director Peter Glanville and created in collaboration with the Creative Europe Mapping programme, takes you on a thrilling journey through the natural world, exploring the bond between a mother and her young daughter. Supported in development by PolkaLAB (Polka’s artistic development programme), Akademi’s Plastic Drastic Fantastic is a dance show for older children focusing on the big issues, and Polka and Little Angel Theatre’s acclaimed co-production of The Paper Dolls returns to wow audiences once more.
Alongside Polka produced shows, there is a brilliant programme of visiting companies with exciting shows for babies and up. Watershed Productions present the Little Angel Theatre and Royal & Derngate, Northampton production of The Singing Mermaid, based on the book by Julia Donaldson, brought to life by a cast of three performers, beautiful puppets and music and songs by Barb Jungr. Audiences are invited to meet the bravest biscuit of all time in Stuff and Nonsense’s The Gingerbread Man, and The Egg, Wales Millennium Centre and Oxford Playhouse bring their co-production of Holm Theatre’s Josephine to Wimbledon, as it follows Josephine Baker’s incredible journey from the slums of St Louis via the bright lights of Paris and into the hearts of the world.
Polka’s Artistic Director Peter Glanville comments, As we head into the new year, we are delighted to have a new season of productions and workshops on offer, created to engage and inspire children from 0-12yrs. This is an exciting and historic time for us. Following our major capital redevelopment, Polka has been transformed into a hub for the community with a new café, shop, free-to-access indoor and outdoor play spaces – it truly is a wonderful space to spend an hour or the whole day!
