Charlie and Lola's Extremely New Play - Polka Theatre!

We’ve talked about the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon a few times before. We’ve mentioned their fab outdoor play area, the train you can eat lunch on in the cafe, how if it’s wet outside there’s still loads of fun to be had indoors and ultimately, how much we’ve enjoyed the shows we’ve seen in their theatre and theatre rooms…

We’ve LOVED the shows we’ve been to see actually and ‘Charlie and Lola’s Extremely New Play‘, which is also extremely new at Polka is simply no exception at all!. We went to see the play last weekend and being the big Charlie and Lola fans that we are anyway, you could say we would have liked it whatever the weather but actually I think it means we are probably a little more critical than we might be otherwise. For us, it had to be a live experience of exactly what we see on television! Even when I read the books to Florence I try to do the voices right, it wouldn’t be the same otherwise! As soon as it began we relaxed knowing it was something we were familiar with! We knew who was on stage and what it was about without knowing anything about this particular story… It was… Just right!

Dotted all around the theatre spaces there are nods to Charlie and Lola. A giant book to stand on here, a cut out on the wall there and I expect it’s because they originally showed the first play from Charlie and Lola a couple of years ago. We saw that too, not at Polka but we can just imagine it in the setting and can only assume it was perfect then too! We’ve been looking forward to seeing the new play at Polka for some time and it didn’t disappoint at all.

Charlie and Lola Theatre — A framed poster from the last Charlie and Lola play and enjoying pink milk and fun in the foyer!

Florence is really into the programme and she giggles away to it when it’s on TV! I have to admit I rather enjoy it too, it’s clever, funny and the bright colours and patterns which are so artistically placed by the author in the books are all married into the television version superbly well. Exactly the same can be said for the theatre production and everything has been given thought to so that it looks and sounds exactly right! I find this a very clever process as obviously the teams are very different for each project yet they manage to translate Lauren Child’s original vision and charm into the production very well! I loved all the butterflies which are exactly as they are in the books but 3D! The play kind of makes you feel like you’re IN one of the books which is obviously a really good thing!

Puppeteers work Charlie, Lola, Lotta, Marv and Sizzles the dog in a very endearing way! The puppets are essentially 2D drawings just like the book and just like on TV but they are brought to life with moving eyes and limbs which made us smile from ear to ear! I’m not sure Florence would have even noticed the puppeteers dressed in black? You just seem to forget about them after a while, I had to keep reminding myself they were there just to note how clever they were!

The play takes you through the four seasons but in a round about way, just as one expects with Charlie and Lola and with lots of back and forthing, not telling the story directly! Just perfect then! There are lots of side stories and lovely touches too! We went to a watch with baby performance so that Jimmy could come and he enjoyed loads of it, the sounds, the colours and mostly the falling leaves, bubbles and snow storms – we all enjoyed those though!

This play is very authentically done, totally enjoyable and a BIG theatre experience (it even has an interval) but on a little person scale – a 1hr 15 minute running time WITH the interval is totally do-able with tiny tots! And then once you’ve enjoyed the play you can stay and have fun at Polka! A lot of work has gone into this one, it shows in how effortlessly it flows and it’s very worth a visit! I met someone who had travelled from Sussex to see it for a birthday, they were super excited and pleased they’d made the journey!

Charlie and Lola Theatre 2 — Having fun inside the Polka building!

Charlie and Lola Theatre 1 — And outdoors too of course! We have so much fun playing in their safe, enclosed space! You can pop in just to play for free by the way – you don’t need a ticket to a show!

After a bit of a play we had lunch on the train which is always fun. We’ve only taken a picnic before but the prices are very reasonable at £3.20 for a hot children’s meal so we decided to try it. The cafe has some lovely new Charlie and Lola additions too which made it all a bit more fun. I have to say though, the sausage was very poor quality and the sort I wouldn’t usually give my children but the portion of potato and veg was large enough for both of my children to share and when given the option of peas or baked beans I was allowed to go half and half which helped as both my children like different things!

Charlie and Lola Theatre 3 — And lunching on the train is always a highlight!

Before we left we also perused the play’s programme which is dedicated to being fun for the little ones and packed with activities like spot the difference games and colouring in tasks – worth a buy I’d say!

Charlie and Lola Theatre 4 — The Charlie and Lola show programme!

I had no idea until this visit, that Polka have a garden! I knew there was the park outside but on the other side of the building they have an area for picnics and sitting outside! I’m back at Polka today as I am taking Jimmy to see Lullaby, a special performance designed specifically for babies under a year! I don’t think Florence would go for the idea of eating lunch away from the train so I shall use this opportunity to picnic in the garden! I’ll report back!

For more information about this and all plays and workshops at the Polka Theatre please visit their website, www.polkatheatre.com.

I have not been paid to write about this play but I was provided tickets for the purpose of review.