The Artistic Director of the Polka Theatre, Peter Glanville, has today announced their new season for Autumn/Winter 2018, with Kenneth Grahame’s beloved story The Wind In The Willows a particular highlight for the family theatre venue.
The season comprises both new Polka productions and visiting work as well as classes and workshops, celebrating some of the greatest living writers for children.
On the Main Stage, the season opens with Shamser Sinha’s Three Sat Under The Banyan Tree, the first ever stage adaptation of the Panchatantra tales in the UK. Suitable for ages 7+, the show sees masks, movement and music bringa magical book to life. This new co-production with Tara Arts, directed by their Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, runs from 28 September to 21 October.
Grahame’s brilliant story is up next, recommended for ages 5+. One of the greatest stories ever written for children plays across the festive season, as The Wind In the Willows plays at Polka Theatre. A delightful adaptation by Toby Hulse tells the story of Toad, Mole, Ratty and wise old Badger – and the villains of the Wild Wood. The show is brought to life with music and songs by director Roman Stefanski and runs from 9 November to 17 February 2019.
For younger children (ages 3-6), the Adventure Theatre will be transformed into a cosy storytelling hut where master storyteller Jan Blake tells a tale of bravery and friendship – In The Winter Wood. This new co-production with Apples and Snakes is devised by Jan Blake and runs from 29 November to 17 February.
Other productions announced include Under The Rainbow (24 October – 3 November) and The Gingerbread Man (24 – 28 October), and a series of early years shows from around the UK and Europe: Rise And Fall (29 – 30 September), Kaleidoscope (4 – 7 October), Five Little Monkeys (12 – 14 October), 3 Little Pigs Tails (19 – 21 October), Over The Moon (4 November), The Frog And The Princess (10 – 11 November), and Snow White, Rose Red, Bear Brown (16 – 18 November). These shows cater for theatregoers as young as 6-18 months.
Glanville said of the line-up, “We are delighted to be presenting a range of productions catering for all ages from 0-12 years…
“Polka will be celebrating its 40th birthday in 2019, and we are on the cusp of our first major redevelopment, ensuring we create a future Polka which continues to inspire generations of children and families for at least another 40 years.”
More information and tickets can be found on the Polka Theatre website.