All theatres have been forced to close during the epidemic, but Polka Theatre in Wimbledon has been closed for almost twice as long as other theatres because of a major capital development project which has now come to fruition enabling the venue to announce an impressive relaunch season.

Polka Theatre is the UK's first theatre specifically designed for 0-12 year olds and one of only a handful of dedicated children's theatres in the country.

After its major redevelopment, the venue will provide unrivalled facilities for families and schools, including: an indoor play space in the new Y C Chan Play Den; a sensory garden; a playground with a bespoke treehouse climbing frame; a large and airy café; a dedicated rehearsal and community space called The Nest; and a purpose-built, interactive sensory suite designed for use by children with sensory and special educational needs, installed in the new Clore Learning Studio.

Accessibility has also been greatly improved throughout, including level access to the stage for performers and children for the first time.

The new state-of-the-art and eco-friendly building now houses two auditoriums: the flexible Adventure Theatre, which is the first purpose-built UK theatre for under 6s, and the fully refurbished Main Theatre, with new seating and decoration.

Polka Theatre will reopen to the public from Monday 16th August and offer a range of free activities for young children, including hands-on creativity in the newly planted Wimbledon Foundation Garden and the multi-sensory space, as well as lively and interactive story sessions.

It will also host Polka's Freefalling group, made up of children who face challenging circumstances at home or at school, a Youth Theatre summer school, and research and development sessions with Polka artists.

Continuing to pioneer children's theatre and creative learning in the UK, Polka aims to use their new building to continue to inspire young audiences, school groups and families in and around the local community and beyond.

Polka's Artistic Director Peter Glanville said ...

"The past 18 months have been particularly challenging for children and their families, so we are delighted to be able to reopen Polka, not only with a beautifully redeveloped building, but with a season of new productions designed to create memorable and inspirational experiences."

Season shows ...

RED

Directed by Hannah Quigley, designed by Rachana Jadhav

Saturday 25th September - Sunday 31st October 2021

Tickets from £19.50 (previews £15.50)

Suitable for age 6+

The wolves have seized power from Queen Sukotai and Alpha Wolf sits on the throne.

What will happen now and where is RED? We urgently need your help to find RED and end this conflict, restoring peace to the land.

Don your wellies and journey through the new building across forests and swampland on an adventure like never before...

but be careful not to disturb those sleeping wolves!

Sponsored by HPD Lendscape.

Cinderella: the AWESOME truth

Book by Sarah Punshon, music and lyrics by Felix Hagan, created with Toni-Dee Paul Friday

12th November 2021 - Sunday 30th January 2022

Tickets from £10

Suitable for age 5+

Think you know the story of Cinderella? Well, let us introduce Cindy and Ella: the REAL ugly sisters.

Cindy wants to be rich, famous and is glued to her phone.

Ella's been practising her kick-boxing and just wants to have FUN.

When they meet a Prince who isn't so charming, and a fairy godmother who's not what she seems, Ella must save her sister from a terrible fate before midnight strikes.

With help from an unusually nutty squirrel (SQUEE!), can brave Ella make it in time?

Co-produced with One Tenth Human, www.onetenthhuman.com.

The Night Before Christmas

Directed by Roman Stefanski, book by Hattie Naylor, music by Julian Butler

Saturday 4th December 2021 - Sunday 16th January 2022

Tickets from £16 (previews £12)

Suitable for age 3+

Amber is six and loves reindeers! It's Christmas Eve but Grandad is being extremely grumpy, and Amber's favourite snow-globe gets broken.

Then her world is turned topsy turvy by a surprise visitor and Amber begins an adventure she will never forget.

Join Amber on a festive journey like no other - after all, on the night before Christmas, surprises can happen.

Co-produced with Royal and Derngate, Northampton.

---

About London theatre news from ActDrop

We cover all kinds of news stories about theatre in the London area including items about West End, Fringe, Off West End and other venues, as well as new shows coming to the capital, theatre events like scratch nights, theatre festivals and other interesting theatre news that can't be so easily classified!

We'd love to hear from you if you have a news story we can share with theatre-goers.

Just use this form to contact us.

If you are a producer, PR agent or a representative of a theatre company, we have a special page just for you.

And thanks for visiting ActDrop!

Advertisement