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touring company in 1967 under the
Artistic Directorship of Richard Gill. The theatre venue (formerly the Holy Trinity Halls in Wimbledon) opened on 20 November 1979 and was the UK’s first theatre venue dedicated exclusively to children. The opening was marked with a Gala performance attended by
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in 1994. The scheme offers free theatre tickets to disadvantaged schools whose pupils would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience theatre due to financial or other difficulties, supplemented by money to cover transport costs and a free post-show drama workshop to support the visits.
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The building temporarily closed for a major redevelopment on Monday 18 February 2019, with building work commencing in March 2019. The planned reopening was Summer 2020 but was delayed due to the effects of the pandemic.
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198:. The Adventure Theatre hosts in house productions and visiting productions from the UK and overseas. Over recent years Polka has developed its
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The current
Artistic Director Peter Glanville was appointed in August 2013 having previously been the Artistic Director/ Chief Executive of
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By 1983 Polka was regularly programming and producing productions aimed specifically at children under 5 in its studio space, known as the
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The building also features a creative learning studio, a garden, an outdoor playground, indoor play area, exhibition spaces and a cafe.
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and a number of private charitable trusts and foundations, individuals and commercial companies.
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was then scheduled for
November 2021 as the Theatre's first production after reopening.
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Polka
Theatre is a registered charity number 256979 and an
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Theatre Award to begin the audience development initiative,
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2015 Best
Production for Young People (under 8 years) for
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National
Portfolio Organisation. It is also funded by the
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which also tours shows nationally and internationally.
465:. The International Board on Books for Young People UK
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445:"The Stage article on Glanville appointment Aug 13"
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459:"News: Polka Theatre wins Eleanor Farjeon Award"
587:Buildings and structures in Wimbledon, London
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577:Theatres in the London Borough of Merton
413:"London Borough of Merton Arts Strategy"
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353:Teddy Bear Collection, Polka Theatre
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202:for children aged from 6 months.
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189:Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
182:Polka Theatre started life as a
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305:Polka Theatre Exhibition Area
220:Cinderella: the AWESOME Truth
522:Children's literature portal
254:2013–present Peter Glanville
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148:is a children’s theatre in
138:http://www.polkatheatre.com
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251:2007– 2013 Jonathan Lloyd
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317:Polka Theatre Playground
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245:1988- 2002 Vicky Ireland
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242:1967- 1988 Richard Gill
387:"Arts Council England"
205:Polka Theatre won the
329:Polka Theatre Toyshop
266:Eleanor Farjeon Award
248:2002- 2007 Annie Wood
491:. OffWestEnd.com Ltd
373:"Charity Commission"
232:Little Angel Theatre
168:Arts Council England
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341:Polka Theatre Annex
116:Main auditorium 300
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582:Children's theatre
553:51.4196°N 0.1949°W
489:www.offwestend.com
226:Artistic Directors
103:Children's theatre
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425:on 31 August 2012
196:Adventure Theatre
158:producing theatre
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493:. Retrieved
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211:Curtain-Up!
571:Categories
541:51°25′11″N
495:15 October
469:15 October
429:6 February
397:6 February
359:References
544:0°11′42″W
273:Peter Pan
236:Islington
150:Wimbledon
123:Total 370
119:Studio 70
84:Wimbledon
45:Wimbledon
275:, Winner
109:Capacity
100:Genre(s)
51:Location
280:Gallery
178:History
132:Website
94:Theatre
40:Address
268:winner
259:Awards
184:puppet
55:London
423:(PDF)
416:(PDF)
264:2014
497:2015
471:2015
431:2013
399:2013
90:Type
59:SW19
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
