Polka Theatre
Polka Theatre is a children’s theatre in Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton, for children aged 0– 13. The theatre contains two performance spaces - a 300 seat main auditorium and a 70 seat studio dedicated to early years performances. Polka Theatre is a producing theatre which also tours shows nationally and internationally.
The theatre houses part of the teddy bear collection of the former Teddy Bear Museum in Stratford-on-Avon.[1] The building also features a creative learning studio, a garden, an outdoor playground, indoor play area, exhibition spaces and a cafe.
Polka Theatre is a registered charity number 256979 [2] and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.[3] It is also funded by the London Borough of Merton[4] and a number of private charitable trusts and foundations, individuals and commercial companies.
History
Polka Theatre started life as a puppet touring company in 1967 under the Artistic Directorship of Richard Gill. The theatre venue (formerly the Holy Trinity Halls in Wimbledon) opened on 20 November 1979 and was the UK’s first theatre venue dedicated exclusively to children. The opening was marked with a Gala performance attended by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
By 1983 Polka was regularly programming and producing productions aimed specifically at children under 5 in its studio space, known as the Adventure Theatre. The Adventure Theatre hosts in house productions and visiting productions from the UK and overseas. Over recent years Polka has developed its Early Years work for children aged from 6 months.
Polka Theatre won the Vivien Duffield Theatre Award to begin the audience development initiative, Curtain-Up! in 1994. The scheme offers free theatre tickets to disadvantaged schools whose pupils would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience theatre due to financial or other difficulties, supplemented by money to cover transport costs and a free post-show drama workshop to support the visits.
Artistic Directors
The current Artistic Director Peter Glanville [5] was appointed in August 2013 having previously been the Artistic Director/ Chief Executive of Little Angel Theatre, Islington.
- 1967- 1988 Richard Gill
- 1988- 2002 Vicky Ireland
- 2002- 2007 Annie Wood
- 2007– 2013 Jonathan Lloyd
- 2013- present Peter Glanville
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Polka Theatre Auditorium
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Polka Theatre Exhibition Area
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Polka Theatre Playground
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Polka Theatre Toyshop
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Polka Theatre Annex
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Teddy Bear Collection, Polka Theatre
References
- ↑ "Polka Theatre". Teddy Bear Museum. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- ↑ "Charity Commission".
- ↑ "Arts Council England".
- ↑ "London Borough of Merton Arts Strategy".
- ↑ "The Stage article on Glanville appointment Aug 13".