Children's Theatre Research: Polka Theatre

The Polka Theatre

Polka Theatre is a venue dedicated to producing and performing work for young audiences since 1979. It is situated in Wimbledon  and strives to inspire and stimulate their audience. They work towards string emotions, sparking the imagination and entertaining the young people.  According to their website, over 90,000 children come to the theatre every year to watch theatre for perhaps the first time. I think when you are performing a piece for children you always have to be aware of the fact that your piece may be the first piece of theatre they will have ever seen, either because they are very young or because they haven't had the opportunity. It is because of this every piece you perform to a child should be exciting and energetic to give them the best possible experience. 

The exterior and interior of the theatre is designed to make the children feel at ease and make them feel as if the theatre is just for them. I think this is a fantastic idea because when I was younger I remember loving venues that were bold and colourful so I can see children loving this theatre. 

Their audience ranges from the age of 0-14 and the theatre provides workshops and visit schools to occasionally perform or work there. There is a program called early Years where children as young as nine months can come with their families to the stimulating environment of a theatre and can see shows which are designed for them, focusing on the sensory and visual side. Polka often produces and performs new writing and is part of a charity where the public can donate to.

The artistic director and chief executive is Peter Glanville and the executive director is Stephen Midlane. Some shows on at the moment are: Moominsummer Madness, Skitterbang Island, We're Going On a Bear Hunt and Sparkle. Again these shows all have a common link which is that they are bold and energetic, familiar and new for the children. This research combined with the research on the Unicorn Theatre has helped me understand what is takes to perform a piece of children's theatre successfully.