Yesterday we were treated to another great performance at The Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. I was asked by a friend soon after we left whether I thought it was any good and if she should take her children? My response was, ‘yes, yes and to be honest, everything I’ve seen at Polka is good and you should take your children to as many things as you can there’.
Polka is the sweetest little children’s theatre which relies on charity donations to keep going. As well as great theatre for children of all ages it provides workshops and a great space to play. Both the indoor and outoor play areas are a must when we visit and in the summer we like to picnic in the garden. At all other times we simply have to sit on the train in the cafe to eat our lunch there. It really is quite perfect!
So, after we’d had a play it was time to hit the Adventure Theatre which is the small space downstairs. In a way I prefer this more intimate setting then the large theatre above it. We saw Grandad, Me and Teddy Too yesterday and as it is aimed at ages 2-5 the small space (where the children sit on the carpet in front of the performance and the parents can join them or take a proper pew around the edges) is perfect. The children don’t feel overwhelmed and almost are a part of the play. Often they can interact with the actors and because it is so close they can see there is nothing to be frightened of.
Grandad, Me and Teddy Too doesn’t invite audience participation but it is very, very lovely. A little girl has met her Grandad only via face time on her computer as he lives in Argentina and she awaits his arrival for a proper meeting by counting down the sleeps. When he comes the play shows how their relationship starts again as things are different in person but also how it blossoms and becomes the same as they’ve always known it. It’s quite a high brow, provocative and thoughtful piece for such little ones but it is done in the most perfect way with brilliant results. Imagination, toys and adventures are the name of the game here and we loved it!
Florence smiled her way through the whole thing and my little squirmer Jimmy was mesmerised. They both (along with all the other children) chuckled with gusto when the balloon noises were being made and at the end neither wanted to leave the space which is twinkling with fairy lights and soft in mood. The carpet is made to look like grass and it’s as if you are sat outside the house of the little girl and her Grandad watching what’s happening within. The performance is only 40 minutes long which is just right for most children of the age it is intended and we think it is a perfect little piece of theatre!
We forgot to do this but Polka also invite you to bring your own bear along to the performance where they will issue him or her with their own special ticket which is very sweet don’t you think?! If you upload a picture of your bear on his or her way to Polka with the hashtag #BYOBear then you might even win a prize!
Grandad, Me and Teddy Too is running from now until the 8th February 2015. Please see the www.polkatheatre.com for ticketing and more information.
We were provided complimentary tickets for the purpose of an honest review.
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