Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024
Credit Michael Wharley and Rebecca Pitt

NEW SEASON: Polka Theatre, Ratty, Badger and Mole to the rescue!

Credit Michael Wharley and Rebecca Pitt

The Wind in the Willows: 9 November 2018 – 17 February 2019

Polka Theatre are re-staging The Wind in the Willows adapted by Toby Hulse. The Wind in the Willows themes of joy of adventure, respecting our environment and the importance of friendship have endured in the 110 years since it was written.

The story begins with two different woodland species of Rat and Mole.  They find common ground when Ratty befriends Mole and introduces her to his friends. Ratty shows Mole what life is like above the ground and Mole is surprised by what she learns as they share stories from their own lives.

Through the changing seasons, Toad journies from a fad crazed destroyer of the environment and upsetter of friends, to his eventual recognition that he might be wrong. When Toad realises that he has gone too far, he needs the support of his friends Mole and Ratty, to learn to become kinder, respectful and humble. The brave and bold recapture of Toad Hall from the Wild-Wooders is at the heart of this story which includes weasels, squirrels and even a human.

The Wind in the Willows 9 November – 17 February MAIN STAGE Ages 5+

Tickets: https://polkatheatre.com/thewindinthewillows

In the Winter Wood

Listen to winter stories from around the world, sing-along and shake your shaker to Jan Blake’s newly devised interactive story

Credit Michael Wharley and Rebecca Pitt

In the Winter Wood.

In the Winter Wood is a tale of friendship and working together with Pig and Goat meeting Goose, Hare and Cockerel. They are running away to avoid becoming a winter feast. The stories the animals share explore cultural and winter traditions from around the world. This new story is a cosy immersive experience for our younger audiences with the Adventure Theatre transformed into a winter woodland.

Jan Blake is one of the UK’s foremost storytellers and specialises in stories from Africa, the Caribbean, and Arabia. Often enticing and encouraging audiences to interact and become part of the story, she has a well-earned reputation for dynamic and generous storytelling.

In the Winter Wood 29 November – 17 February ADVENTURE THEATRE Ages 3-6

https://polkatheatre.com/winterwood

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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