Polka Theatre’s Artistic Director and Joint CEO Helen Matravers, Executive Director and Joint CEO Lynette Shanbury, and the whole team at the Wimbledon venue are pleased to announce details of further shows coming to Polka in 2026.
Arthur will headline this Summer on Polka’s newly named main stage, the Y C Chan Theatre, in a co-production between Polka Theatre and The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath, from Saturday 20 June – Sunday 9 August. Join the adventure in a magical new play with original songs, based on Arthurian legend, in a quest to find Excalibur for the future King and create a better world. Arthur is created by Bucket Club, written by Marietta Kirkbride and directed by Nel Crouch, and is recommended for ages 6-12 years.
In Polka’s Adventure Theatre, Polka Theatre present another brand-new production with the stage debut of award-winning author Hannah Lee and Allen Fatimaharan’s beloved book, The Rapping Princess. Adapted for the stage by Annabel Mutale Reed and Jack Trzcinski, The Rapping Princess follows Princess Shiloh who loves music but can’t sing, as she adventures through all genres of music to discover her talent for rapping. Come on a celebration of ALL music, with puppetry and brand-new songs, running from Saturday 16 May – Sunday 21 June, and recommended for ages 3-6 years.
Polka Theatre are once again teaming up with Derby Theatre and Hiccup Theatre to present Tortoise and the Hare, following their previous collaborations on ‘Chicken Licken’ and ‘Billy Goat’s Gruff’. From Saturday 2 – Sunday 31 May, get ready for another toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud retelling of a children’s classic, for ages 3-7 years. This show features creative captions, integrated BSL and audio description for all performances.
This season, Polka will continue to host leading theatre makers in an array of visiting shows for all ages. Little Angel Theatre’s We’re Going On A Bear Hunt returns from Wednesday 25 March – Sunday 12 April to delight 3–7-year-olds with this enchanting puppetry production bringing Michael Rosen’s classic book to life. Whilst 7–11-year-olds can embark on a secret mission against misinformation from Wednesday 1 – Sunday 12 April, in The Shivers – a pulsating digital and live theatre adventure about learning to trust your instincts, presented by Emma & PJ. Alongside Polka’s Summer offering of Arthur, 3–7-year-olds can delight in a musical adaptation of Lizzy Stewart’s award-winning book, There’s a Tiger in the Garden, by Flock Theatre Makers, from Wednesday 7 July – Sunday 9 August. Join Nora in an adventure through her garden, enchantingly brought to life through puppetry and music.
The youngest of audiences won’t be missing out, as Starcatchers and Dirliebane Theatre Company present Laaaunch!: a non-verbal performance filled with musical beats and comedy for ages 0-12 months, from Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 April. Tiny & Tall present A Tale of Us for ages 0-18 months, blending drama and multi-sensory playtime in a relaxed environment, celebrating the joys and challenges of becoming a new parent, from Wednesday 29 April – Sunday 3 May. And Rebel Sparks take to the skies in Take Flight, from Wednesday 1 – Sunday 5 July, in a stunning aerial show for 0–2-year-olds, follow a musical mother bird as her baby hatches, in this multi-sensory, interactive show. To add to their younger years provision, Polka’s Big Dreams Early Years Theatre Festival will also return from Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September, with further details to be announced in the new year.
Announcing their festive offering for 26/27, Polka’s Y C Chan Theatre will transform into Neverland from Saturday 14 November 2026 – Sunday 24 January 2027 with Polka Theatre’s big festive production of Peter Pan, based on the original by J.M Barrie. This remixed musical version of Peter Pan, recommended for ages 5-12 years, follows Peter and Wendy on their quest to never grow up. Adapted for stage with music by Conrad Murray (‘Pied Piper’ and Polka’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’), and directed by Ria Parry and Conrad Murray, comes a magical family musical adventure, packed with original songs performed live by a company of award-winning vocalists, beatboxers, and rappers.
From Friday 27 November 2026 – Sunday 17 January 2027, Polka’s Adventure Theatre will become a magical wind-whipped world of snow in Antarctica, a Little Bulb production (‘The Nutcracker’), originally produced with Bristol Old Vic. Recommended for ages 3-7, explore across Antarctica to discover some of the most wondrous creatures on Earth including slip-sliding penguins, cheeky albatrosses and mysterious creatures of the deep, in an unforgettable journey full of clowning, puppets and plenty of snowy surprises.
The season is presented alongside a wide range of Creative Learning classes, workshops and activities at the venue: from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Drama Master Class with practitioners from Shakespeare’s Globe, design your own Escape Room Adventure, and the return of Polka’s sell-out Summer Schools. Children of all ages can enjoy weekly classes, one off workshops, drop-in and school holiday activities in a creative, fun and supportive space.
Polka’s Artistic Director Helen Matravers said, “Polka exists to empower children through inspiring, entertaining theatre. This season speaks to that without question. We are exploring ways in which young leadership is nurtured in Arthur, which will delve into what it takes to unite a nation, and The Rapping Princess joyfully and importantly inspires children to find their own, unique voice.
It’s also a brilliant moment to celebrate Polka’s creative collaborations across the country, with our first ever co-pro with The Egg and Bucket Club in Arthur, and the building of our pioneering BSL lead work in partnership with Derby Theatre and Hiccup Theatre in Tortoise and The Hare. Polka’s commitment to filling our stages with epic storytelling, glorious music, diverse voices and rich representation for all children is showcased loudly and with pride in this new season. It feels more important than ever that we introduce theatre to children at the youngest age, delivering numerous productions for babies, as well as exploring key topics to older children, such as misinformation in The Shivers.
Other shows already on sale at Polka Theatre for 2026 include: in Polka’s Y C Chan Theatre, Polka Theatre’s Who Let The Gods Out, a hilarious new musical based on Maz Evans’ bestselling novel in which Elliot must save the world — and his mum — with a little help from some mischief-making Greek Gods, running from Saturday 7 February – Sunday 22 March. Whilst in the Adventure Theatre: Hamlet, running from Wednesday 28 January – Sunday 1 February. This New International Encounter production reimagines one of the world’s most famous plays in a funny and accessible way. A musical adaptation of Tom Percival’s much-loved book, Ruby’s Worry, playing from Wednesday 11 – Sunday 22 February, created by MishMash Productions. toooB from Angel Exit Theatre returns from Wednesday 25 February – Sunday 8 March following a sell-out run in 2023. Teatro Distino present Kish Kush from Friday 13 – Sunday 15 March, following two strangers meeting for the first time as they connect and share their cultural stories. Cinderella Ice Cream Seller, from Little Seeds Music Productions, running from Wednesday 18 – Sunday 29 March, is an exciting musical retelling of a fairytale classic which promises a delightful blend of storytelling, stunning live music, and theatrical magic.
Polka is one of just a handful of dedicated children’s venues in the UK. It underwent a major renovation, re-opening in 2021, and continues to present a year-round programme of new work made at Polka, visiting shows, and Creative Learning activities for 0–12-year-olds. Last year 125,000 people visited Polka, with another 25,000 seeing their work on tour or taking part in creative activities in the community.
They continue to pioneer developments in children’s theatre, nurture artistic talent in the sector, and maintain an international reputation while serving local communities. Polka Theatre involves children at every stage of the creative process and lead the way in Early Years theatre. Creative Learning is central to Polka’s mission – shows are supported by tailored community and schools initiatives.
Over the past year we worked with 184 schools through Creative Learning projects and have distributed over 9,000 free tickets to schools through their Curtain Up! scheme, with a further 9,000 free tickets committed for this academic year.
Polka is a sustainably minded community hub and vital resource, open 6 days per week, 50 weeks per year with step-free access, free-to-access play spaces and a cosy and welcoming café and shop. Polka enjoys flexible rehearsal and workshop spaces along with two performance spaces: the Y C Chan Theatre has a 300-seat capacity, and the Adventure Theatre can seat up to 90.
