SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2025 AT POLKA THEATRE ARE FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

SHOWS THIS SUMMER SEASON INCLUDE:

THE BOY WITH WINGS – WORLD PREMIERE OF THE ADAPTATION OF SIR LENNY HENRY’S BOOK IN THE MAIN THEATRE, 21 JUNE – 16 AUGUST

I WANT MY HAT BACK TRILOGY – BASED ON JOHN KLASSEN’S BOOKS IN THE ADVENTURE THEATRE, 9 JULY – 10 AUGUST

COUNTING SHEEPS – A SENSORY, MUSICAL JOURNEY IN THE ADVENTURE THEATRE, 13 – 24 AUGUST

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 shows and activities available for families to enjoy during the Summer Holidays in the Wimbledon venue. This season at Polka offers a diverse programme of theatre, as it continues its mission to empower, inspire and ensure theatre is accessible for all children, in its 45th year.

An ordinary kid is about to become an EXTRAORDINARY hero in this brand-new stage adaptation by Arvind Ethan David, of Sir Lenny Henry’s book THE BOY WITH WINGS. This co-production by Polka Theatre and Birmingham Rep, and directed by Daniel Bailey, is recommended for 7 to 12-year-olds, playing in the Main Theatre from 21 June – 16 August.

Wings? Check. A super-cool, super-secret past? Check. An impossible mission to save the entire galaxy. Check.When Tunde sprouts wings and learns that his father is a ferocious alien warrior, he’s all that stands between the galaxy and total destruction - suddenly homework and school aren't all he has to contend with. Luckily, his rag-tag group of pals have got his back, and with his new powers, Tunde is ready to fly in the face of danger - this is his destiny. No pressure then. . .

New season at Polka

The I WANT MY HAT BACK TRILOGY, based on Jon Klassen’s beloved books, comes to life in the Adventure Theatre from 9 July – 10 August. This Little Angel Theatre production, with Ian Nicholson and Sam Wilde showcasing their trademark cardboard designs, embarks on its first ever UK tour. Aimed at 3 to 8-year-olds, the trilogy of books have found a new life of their own live on stage.

A bear has lost his hat. What if he never sees it again? WAIT! He has seen his hat.A fish has stolen a hat. And he’ll probably get away with it. Probably.Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat.

The Adventure Theatre will also be home to COUNTING SHEEPS, a touching, musical adventure filled with sensory play, for 0–3-year-olds and their (very tired) grown-ups.  Produced by Herd Theatre, performances take place from 13 – 24 August.

Two sheep think they know everything about sleep.They’re experts in the field.  But tonight they’re wide awake. Snuggle up and join two sheep on a journey through the joys and frustrations of everything bedtime.

Alongside the productions, Polka are also offering a range of creative workshops over the Summer Holidays between 23 July and 15 August. Animal Adventures, for ages 0-4 and their grown-ups, brings characters from the I Want My Hat Back Trilogy to life in an interactive storytelling workshop on Wednesday 23 July. Children from 5-8 years can enjoy crafting and drama techniques with the Hat-tastic Characters workshop, taking place on Thursday 24 July. Children aged 9-12 can spend the day designing their own comic character and bringing them to life with animation in the From Sketch to Screen Masterclass, inspired by Sir Lenny Henry’s The Boy With Wings, on Friday 25 July. Whilst children aged 4+ and their grown-ups can enjoy gentle puppet play, singing, and listening to summertime stories in Polka’s sensory garden on Friday 15 August, in Summertime Stories in the Garden.

Polka’s popular Polka Youth Theatre Summer School, for ages 8 - 12, runs from Monday 28 July – Friday 1 August. Providing a week of training and working with a professional Theatre Director to explore a variety of drama techniques, this is an exciting opportunity to learn from the best in theatre!

Whilst younger children can get involved in the Polka Puppet Summer School from Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 August. A chance to explore, play and perform their own puppet show stories in front of family and friends, this three-day workshop is aimed at 5 to 8-year-olds.

Polka’s monthly Saturday Club continues over the Summer for ages 4+, with fun creative sessions for all the family to enjoy together. The club will run on 7 June with Saturday Stretch and 5 July with Summer Style Headdress making, both at 2pm.

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

Polka’s Artistic Director, Helen Matravers said: “I am incredibly proud that Polka is delivering for such a wide and diverse community of audiences with our programme of theatre and workshops. Summer at Polka is a vibrant and inspiring hub of creative activity; a place all children can explore and create memories, and this feels more of a vital offer than ever. It is a constant drive with our work to remove barriers so that every child can access our programmes. We continue to provide £10 tickets for all Main Theatre shows, thousands of free tickets through our Curtain Up! and Polka Invites programmes, plus free play spaces for all to enjoy.

I’m so excited to see our stages come to life with two titans of titles from the children’s literary world. Lenny Henry’s first ever children’s book premieres in our Main Theatre, with Arvind Ethan David and Daniel Bailey leading an exceptional creative team through an adaptation of action-adventure for slightly older children. They’re bringing together a wonderfully physical, fast paced and rap-battle filled production. It’s a book that directly addresses the importance of identity, self-discovery, friendship, and learning to forgive, which makes it the perfect story to stage for children.

Whilst over in our Adventure Theatre, Ian Nicholson, Sam Wilde and Little Angel’s gorgeous interpretation of John Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back Trilogy takes centre stage. Already a firm family favourite, the puppetry and playful storytelling make this the perfect Summer outing, full of giggles, inventive design and magical moments. Then prepare to fall in love with two sheep who have forgotten how to fall asleep. The Herd have woven beautiful music, interactive play and cosy storytelling into this perfect introduction to theatre for very small ones and I’m delighted Polka are staging its first London outing. 

And our packed programme of brilliant holiday workshops means that there is something to entertain and inspire for children of all ages, across the whole (hopefully!) sunny period!”

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.

Over the past year Polka has worked with 143 schools through Creative Learning projects and has distributed over 6,000 free tickets to schools through their Curtain Up! scheme, with a further 9,000 free tickets for this academic year.

Polka is a community hub and vital resource, open 6 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.