CHICKEN LICKEN – FAMILY FUN WITH THIS CLASSIC TALE IN THE MAIN THEATRE 5 APRIL – 11 MAY
SISTERS 360 – PREMIERE OF THIS INSPIRATIONAL AND BOLD SHOW IN THE ADVENTURE THEATRE 22 MARCH – 27 APRIL
PLUS, A RANGE OF THEMED WORKSHOPS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Artistic Director Helen Matravers, Executive Director Lynette Shanbury and the whole team at Polka Theatre are pleased to announce details of the variety of activities that are available for families to enjoy during the Easter holidays in the Wimbledon venue. This season at Polka offers a varied and diverse programme of theatre, as it continues its mission to empower, inspire and ensure theatre is accessible for all children, in its 45th year.
Energy and fun are the order of the day for the Easter egg-stravaganza Chicken Licken, playing in the Main Theatre from Saturday 5 April to Sunday 11 May, with a press performance at 2pm on Sunday 6 April.
The sky is falling and this little chicken is very worried!
Audiences are invited to join a courageous chicken who needs to let everyone know there is a problem! Acorns are raining from the sky, and an umbrella just isn’t strong enough! Chicken Licken is joined by her brave group of friends Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey. What will Foxy Loxy have to say about it all!?
Polka Theatre, Hiccup Theatre and Derby Theatre - the teams behind previous productions Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Emperor’s New Clothes – come together once again to bring a production filled with live music, songs, puppetry and fun, to tell this classic tale.
All performances include integrated BSL, creative captions and integrated audio description and are recommended for audiences of 3 – 7 years, and their families and friends.
Helen Matravers said: ‘Polka’s work with Derby Theatre and Hiccup is leading the way in accessible performance for young audiences, and I am excited to be working with these incredible organisations at the forefront of what exceptional BSL-led work can be for our audiences. Polka works tirelessly to break down barriers so that all children can experience inspiring theatre, and this show not only offers incredible accessibility, but is a gorgeously inventive, fun and playful production for children and families to enjoy. The songs, puppetry and storytelling take us all on a familiar journey, and I can’t wait to share it on Polka’s Main stage this Easter.’
The cast for Chicken Licken includes: Laura Crow (Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Titus Andronicus for Time & Again Theatre Company); Laura Goulden (Three Billy Goat’s Gruff for Derby Theatre, The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale for Tall Stories); Brooklyn Melvin (Alice in Wonderland and The Emperor’s New Clothes for Derby Theatre, Oliver in Oliver Twist for Leeds Playhouse/Ramps on the Moon); Phillipa Russell (Robin Hood and The Major Oak for Derby Theatre); and Ivan Stott (One Man, Two Guvnors, Three Billy Goat’s Gruff and The Emperor’s New Clothes for Derby Theatre).
The creative team for Chicken Licken includes: Sarah Brigham (Writer & Director); EJ Raymond (BSL Consultant); Ben Wilson (Audio Description Consultant); Ben Glover (Captions); Rachana Jadhav (Set Designer); Tim Heywood (Costume Designer); Ivan Stott (Sound Designer); Jessica Brigham (Lighting Designer); Stacey McCarthy (Movement Director) and John Barber (Puppet Designer).
Also playing at Polka Theatre this Easter holidays is Sisters 360, produced by Polka Theatre, AIK and Turtle Key Arts, in association with Leeds Playhouse, from Saturday 22 March to Sunday 27 April.
Written by Asif Khan, Sisters 360 tells the tale of Fatima and Salima, who are the closest, coolest, hijabi step-sisters in all of Bradford and seeking to win the ‘Tiny is Mighty’ skateboarding competition.
They’ve practised every trick in the book, and look (almost) as good as Sky Brown on the telly, just check out their YouTube Channel if you’re not convinced. Nothing will stop them. Except their parents have started whispering in the kitchen about living apart… about moving to different cities… only seeing each other in school holidays. How will they perfect their routine and win gold if their whole lives are about to turn 360 too? Only the greatest super plan ever concocted will help them achieve their dreams!
Inspired by real-life skateboarding sisters Layna, Maysa and Amaya, and their hero Olympic Medallist Sky Brown, Sisters 360 is a bold and creative brand-new show recommended for ages 8-12 which is not to be missed.
Alongside the productions, Polka are also offering a range of creative workshops over Easter. Springtime Stories is a sensory springtime storytelling workshop for parents/carers and toddlers. Aimed at 0-4 year olds, this connection session uses their Sensory Space with interactive floor projections and mesmerising scenic settings. Held on Tuesday 8 April, there are three sessions during the day.
Musical Fun on the Polka Farm! is aimed at children aged 5-8 years old and runs as a 2-day child-only workshop where they can create an original farmyard fun musical theatre piece and make their own instruments inspired by the theatre production, Chicken Licken. The workshops run from Wednesday 9 April – Thursday 10 April, from 10.30am – 3.30pm.
Older children are invited to attend the Street Dance Masterclass. This 2-day child-only masterclass specialises in the foundations of breakdance and hip hop where they can develop the basics of breaking, popping and locking. These workshops take place on Tuesday 15 April – Wednesday 16 April from 10am - 4pm and is aimed at 9-12 year olds.
Sing & Sign Playtime! on Thursday 17 April is designed for those aged 4+ and is based in the multisensory studio. These sessions encourage movement and dance to the theatre’s Chicken Licken show songs. A trained BSL (British Sign Language) practitioner and performer will be on hand for them to discover a new skill of signing while singing.
In addition to the productions and workshops, Polka is open weekly Tuesday – Sunday as a free to access space with indoor and outdoor play areas, a cafe and shop - you don’t need a ticket to enjoy these spaces.
Tickets are on sale now via polkatheatre.com or call 020 8543 4888*