Polka theatre’s forthcoming autumn/winter season will see a friendly gorilla united with a very late rabbit, as new productions of popular children’s stories Gorilla and Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland are set to play at the venue.
Science will also play a part in the Wimbledon venue’s upcoming season, with The Planet And Stuff, a new co-production with Tonic Theatre, kicking off the season from 27 September to 26 October.
Suitable for children aged between nine and 13-years-old, the show, which is described as “part live science demo, part hyperactive game show”, is a frenzied, fact-packed, interactive adventure that tackles the issue of climate change.
Following the science-steeped show, Gorilla, a new stage adaptation of the heart-warming book by former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne, will run at the venue from 16 October to 15 February.
Adapted by Rachel Barnett, the production tells the story of Hannah, a girl whose toy gorilla comes to life and – dressed in her father’s coat and hat – takes her on a thrilling moonlit adventure.
Brought to life by puppetry and music, the show is suitable for children between the ages of three and five, but, not wanting littler ones to miss out on meeting the world’s friendliest gorilla, Polka has also created a special version for one to two-year-olds.
From one adventure to another, Simon Reade’s new adaptation of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland will play at the venue from 22 November to 15 February. Featuring stunning staging and original songs, the gloriously funny tale for children aged between six and 11-years-old takes young theatregoers on a journey down that famous rabbit hole to the magical fantasy world at the heart of Lewis Carroll’s novel.
Polka theatre will also host an array of productions from visiting companies this autumn and winter, including the Oxford Playhouse’s production of Tea Time (30 October to 2 November), a wonderfully silly celebration of meal times for children aged four to seven-years old, and Mind The Gap’s new production of Mike Kenney’s Treasure Island (9 November) for children aged seven and older.
Other theatrical adventures to grace Polka’s stage later this year include Three Billy Goats Gruff And Other Furry Tales (28 September), which asks those burning questions about children’s fairy tales such as why was Goldilocks walking in the woods and how did the three Billy Goats Gruff really deal with that troll, the return of Egg And Spoon (1 to 5 October), a show that guides you through the four seasons to celebrate the wonders of nature, and Ugly Duckling (19 to 22 February), a lively version of Hans Christian Anderson’s popular story combining puppetry, music and storytelling.
As if the shows weren’t exciting enough, there is also a selection of workshops available during the October half term and Christmas holidays for children of all ages to enjoy. For a full list of workshops and to find out more about the forthcoming season, visit Polka’s website.