POLKA THEATRE ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF ITS FULL AUTUMN/WINTER 2025/26 SEASON

Polka Theatre’s Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive Helen Matravers, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Lynette Shanbury, and the whole team are pleased to announce the line-up of exciting new shows and activities for families for the Autumn/Winter 25/26 season – featuring more inspiring children’s theatre, made by the UK’s most exciting theatre makers.

Dweeb-A-Mania, a punchy, powerful new comedy which celebrates being exactly who you want to be, recommended for 8-13-year-olds, will play in Polka’s Adventure Theatre from Saturday 4 October – Sunday 9 November.  A Polka Theatre production, written by Sarah Middleton and directed by Hannah Stone, Dweeb-A-Mania is the winner of the Polka Playwriting Award 2025, and is funded by The Garek Trust and supported by Cockayne and London Community Foundation. 

Kemi and Norah are mega-nerds through and through. They think they know a lot about… everything – that is until they aren’t invited to the popular boy’s wrestling-themed party, and it turns out that actually, they have a lot to learn about wrestling. Together, they secretly plan to become champion wrestlers, crash the party and prove to everyone that they are, infact, extremely cool!

The new Polka season

 Who Let The Gods Out, also a Polka Theatre production for 8–13-year-olds, is a brand-new musical, with book and lyrics from author Maz Evans and directed by Ria Parry, based on the best-selling book of the same name, that will play in Polka’s Main Theatre from Saturday 7 February – Sunday 22 March.  

Elliot needs to save the world – and save his mum. Enter some epic Greek Gods with a few tricks up their togas… 

Elliot Hooper’s life is highly suboptimal. His mum isn’t very well, his posh neighbour is trying to steal his home and he has ever so slightly unleashed an evil death daemon into the world… Luckily (according to her), the constellation Virgo has crash landed in his dungheap and with the help of a legendary family of ancient Greek Gods, Elliot is on a quest to save THE world. But can he save HIS world too…?

Other productions in the Main Theatre include: Well Done, Mummy Penguin, adapted for ages 3-7 from award-winning writer Chris Haughton’s book. Playing from Saturday 18 October – Sunday 2 November, this heartwarming family show is produced by touring company Can’t Sit Still. Then from 28 January - 1 February, New International Encounter’s Hamlet takes the stage with a reimagining of this Shakespeare classic for 8–12-year-olds, following the success of Macbeth at Polka last year. 

New shows at Polka

Productions for babies and younger children in the Adventure Theatre this season include Counting Sheeps, a Herd Theatre production for ages 0-3, from Wednesday 13 – Sunday 24 August, where parents and children snuggle up and join two sheep on a journey through the joys and frustrations of everything bedtime. From Wednesday 17 – Sunday 21 September, Theatr Iolo’s production Baby, Bird and Bee, shares the delights and wonders of the sights and sounds in the garden. Created by Sarah Argent and Kevin Lewis, for children aged 6-18 months.

Also in the Adventure Theatre this season, Half Moon and Z-arts present Grandad Anansi, for ages 4–9, running from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 November. Written by award-winning children’s author Elayne Ogbeta, this vibrant story celebrates the bond between grandparent and grandchild through the rich tradition of Anansi folktales. Then from Wednesday 11 – Sunday 22 February, MishMash Productions in partnership with Nottingham City Libraries, present Ruby’s Worry.  Recommended for children aged 3–7, this charming adaptation of Tom Percival’s much-loved picture book combines live music, puppetry and song to gently explore big feelings and the power of sharing them.

As previously announced, the festive production in the Main Theatre this year will be The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, running from Saturday 15 November – Sunday 18 January, and on sale now. A brand-new Polka Theatre production directed by Lee Lyford for ages 6–12, this enchanting adaptation by Jude Christian of Philip Pullman’s award-winning book follows Lila, a young girl who dreams of becoming a Master Firework-Maker like her father. Join Lila on the quest of a lifetime as she faces friend and foe on her illuminating journey of self-discovery.

Polka’s festive production in the Adventure Theatre from Saturday 29 November – Sunday 25 January, is The Snowflake. This co-production with Birmingham Rep and Little Angel Theatre, directed and adapted by Matt Aston, is a gentle and heartfelt story for ages 3–6, based on the beloved Christmas tale by Benji Davies. It follows a snowflake, a little girl and her Pappie as they each search for where they truly belong.

Polka Theatre will host its biggest party yet with The Big Bash! on Sunday 7 December from 2-5pm. This is a spectacular family party with tickets for either The Firework-Maker’s Daughter or The Snowflake. The party includes facepainting, glitter tattoos and crafts, a festive buffet and complementary drinks for all ages, plus a goody bag for every child. The event helps raise funds for Polka's impactful work with children and families in the community.

The season is presented alongside a wide range of classes, workshops and activities at the venue from combat classes, interactive workshops and sensory storytelling. Children of all ages can enjoy weekly classes, one off workshops, drop in and school holiday activities in a creative, fun and supportive space.

Helen Matravers said, “I am delighted that with this wonderful season, Polka are able to introduce theatre to the very youngest audiences with sensory, fun and interactive storytelling with Early Years specialists, Theatr Iolo and The Herd, whilst simultaneously keeping pre-teen audiences on the edge of their seat with adventure mayhem in the form of Who Let The Gods Out and wrestling party chaos in Dweeb-A-Mania. We’re also creating stage-magic firework displays to entertain all the family at Christmas. This season addresses important issues around the planet, moving schools and navigating friendships, as well as mental health and caring for others, but also makes space for staging pure unadulterated joy for children who will really benefit in the current climate. I am over the moon that we are developing exciting adaptations by some of the world’s leading children’s writers and nurturing exciting new writing collaborations with artists UK-wide, cementing Polka’s place as one of the most exciting and dynamic producing theatres in the country.

In the process of curating this season, we have collaborated with young people at every juncture, asking them what they want to see, what the important topics and issues are to them, resulting in work that children feel passionate about, and engaged in. We continue to give away thousands of free tickets to schools - addressing the urgent need to support schools to seek out creative and cultural experiences for students - and work closely with our local community to ensure there are no barriers which mean families cannot attend performances or workshops. All Main Theatre shows at Polka have a £10 ticket availability, and our play spaces continue to be totally free to use. Polka is committed to ensuring that access to brilliant live art, workshops, activities and free play space is available for all.”

Tickets are on sale now via polkatheatre.com or via 020 8543 4888*

Polka Theatre is one of just a handful of dedicated children’s venues in the UK. Re-opening in 2021 after a major renovation, Polka continues to present a year-round programme of shows produced by Polka and from visiting companies. Polka also offers a full programme of Creative Learning activities for ages 0–12, with over 21,000 children taking part in the last year. Polka enjoys flexible rehearsal and workshop spaces along with two performance spaces: the Main Theatre has a 300-seat capacity, and the Adventure Theatre can seat up to 90 depending on the show format.

Polka is a community hub and vital resource, open six days per week, 50 weeks per year at a challenging time to be a sustainable public venue with step-free access, free-to-access play spaces and a cosy and welcoming café and shop.