Based in Wimbledon the delightful Polka Theatre has been making theatre for children aged 0-13 since 1979. Its latest production, Jack v Giant, running to 26th March has been written by Polka’s Artistic Director and CEO, Peter Glanville, and Barb Jungr. Directed by Roman Stefanski, Jack v Giant is a clever, dual-layered musical. One layer connects with children in terms they understand while the other offers adults capitalism and the unequal distribution of wealth in our society to think … [Read more...]
The Lehman Trilogy at the Gillian Lynne Theatre
The National Theatre and Neal Street production of The Lehman Trilogy directed by Sam Mendes returns to London for a limited run preceded by its triumph on Broadway where in 2022 it was laureled by 5 Tonys. Awarded best play, best director, best scenic design and best lighting. On its return to London, with a different cast and with its West End director Zoe Ford Burnett, The Lehman Trilogy continues to earn these accolades. It’s such an interesting, thought-provoking play. Taking its … [Read more...]
Grandad, Me and Teddy Too at Polka Theatre
Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre is one of those amazing jewels of dedicated children’s theatre found scattered through the community hubs of London. Its lovely building has been dynamically arranged to engage visiting children before they see any drama and this creates a fun and positive atmosphere. Grandad, Me and Teddy Too, directed by Sarah Argent, is a delightful, cosy piece of theatre for very young children below the age of 5. Beneath a seemingly simple narrative with a cast of just two … [Read more...]
Sleeping Beauty at Sadler’s Wells
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at Sadler’s Wells is a magnificent and moving reinterpretation of this ancient story through dance and is not to be missed. All the enchantments and charm of the fairytale are referenced before it is is transported along new dramatic pathways into the present day, telling poignantly of connections across time, recognised though invisible. Bourne calls the show a gothic romance. It could be called a beautiful and exciting time machine. On every level this … [Read more...]
Henry V at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, The Globe
This is an enjoyable and dynamic production of Henry V at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Does it matter that there is innovative action and that it is highly edited with both inserts and innuendo from other Shakespeare plays? It might be if you want to see a completely true-to-the-text version of Henry V. In this show, the intended emphasis is on rhetoric as an art of concealment, where words and processes will be employed to suggest reason though this is no more than a brittle veneer. … [Read more...]