Polka Theatre

Polka Theatre is a children’s theatre in Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton, for children aged 0–13. It contains two performance spaces: a 300-seat main auditorium and a 70-seat studio for early years performances. The theatre also produces shows and tours them nationally and internationally. The building features a creative learning studio, a garden, an outdoor playground, an indoor play area, exhibition spaces and a café. It is a registered charity and receives funding from the London Borough of Merton and various trusts and foundations. The theatre began as a puppet touring company in 1967 under Richard Gill’s artistic direction. It opened in 1979 as the UK’s first theatre dedicated exclusively to children, with a gala performance attended by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. By 1983, it was programming productions for children under five in its Adventure Theatre studio. The theatre has since expanded its early years work to include children as young as six months. In 1994, it launched Curtain-Up!, offering free theatre tickets and transport to disadvantaged schools, along with post-show workshops. After a major redevelopment, the theatre reopened in 2021 with a new production. In 2025, the larger theatre space reopened as the Y C Chan Theatre following modernisation. The current artistic director is Helen Matravers, appointed in 2023. The theatre has received awards, including an Offie for Best Production for Young People in 2015 and an Olivier Nomination for Best Family Show in 2025.