Polka Schools Season Brochure Sept 11 - April 12

september 11 - March 12

For EYFS, KS1 - KS3

Brand new workshops and behind the scenes talks!

Box Office: 020 8543 4888

www.polkatheatre.com

…to autumn and winter at Polka! Take your students on a trip to Polka and look forward to a fantastic season of shows. Celebrate Black History month by stepping back in time this October as a young boy journeys back to America during the Civil Rights Movement. Two classic children’s stories will delight you and your students at Christmas with Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling and E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. In 2012, we will take you on a voyage to a faraway place in an adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Twist of Gold. So what are you waiting for? Call the Box Office today to make a reservation for your class. Don’t forget to ask us about the array of workshops that we have on offer and our free teacher resources.

What’s coming up?

‘I Have a Dream…’ 3 - 4 KS2 The Ugly Duckling 5 - 6 EYFS Charlotte’s Web KS1 - KS2

7-8

Twist of Gold KS2 - KS3

9 - 10

Visiting Adventure

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Polka In Your Classroom!

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Visiting Polka

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Season Diary

13 - 14

Join us online at www.polkatheatre.com Whatever you want to know about Polka you will find it on our website. Get free teacher resource packs and information about our shows, read online blogs from cast members, see exclusive photos and videos from rehearsals, or sign up to our schools e-newsletters.

‘I Have a Dream…’

KS2

• Rights and responsibilities • Cause and consequence • Related reading and resources

Charlotte’s Web 11 Nov 2011 - 4 Feb 2012 Themes • Friendship • Helping others in need and doing a good deed • Adventure • Working together and getting along • Emotions and feelings

EYFS

19 Oct 2011 - 18 Feb 2012

23 Sep - 29 Oct 2011 Themes • Historical event • Friendship • Journey • Family • Identity and diversity

The Ugly Duckling

KS1 & KS2

• Problem solving • Music and rhyme • Identity • Family • Overcoming challenges

Themes • Home, journeys, feeling lost and belonging • Friendships • Discovering who you are

• Play and exploration • Extends to all areas of learning and development

Twist of Gold

KS2 & KS3

16 Feb - 21 Apr 2012 Themes • Immigration • Identity • Faith • Survival • Sacrifice

• Kindness • Helping others • Courage and determination

23 SEPtember - 29 OCTober 2011 • MAIN THEATRE • APPROX 90 minutes includes speak up!

Polka Theatre presents

‘I Have a

Dream...’

...that one day... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls...

By Levi David Addai

A celebration of Black History Month August 1963, USA: Martin Luther King prepares to deliver a speech that changes the course of American history. But one person’s not happy – his young daughter, Yolanda.

48 years later, and Raheem is at home in south London. Life seems so unfair: not only is his mum a teacher at his school, she is now applying to fulfil her dream of becoming the head; this will ruin his reputation!

But when Raheem falls asleep, he finds himself back in the 1960s, face to face with Yolanda King. Her father also has a dream. His dream is simple: that one day, “…little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls…”

Coinciding with Black History Month, and using one of the most powerful speeches in history, Polka will celebrate Martin Luther King and his legacy.

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Schools Tickets £8

KS2

7-11 years

Speak Up! Find your voice and speak your mind in ways you never expected. A FREE workshop for students and teachers to enjoy as part of every show.

KS2 History pupils can be encouraged to:

KS2 English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:

KS2 PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:

• identify and describe reasons for, and results of, historical events, situations and changes in the periods studied

• identify features of language used for a specific purpose (e.g. to persuade, instruct or entertain)

• realise the consequences of anti-social and aggressive behaviours, such as bullying and racism, on individuals and communities

• learn about significant people, events and places from both the recent and more distant past • look at history in a variety of ways (e.g. from political, economic, social or religious perspectives).

• identify how characters and settings are created, and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed • evaluate ideas and themes that broaden perspectives and extend thinking.

Bringin g curricu the lum to life

• recognise and challenge stereotypes • identify that differences and similarities between people arise from a number of factors, including cultural, ethnic, racial, religious diversity and disability.

19 OCTOBER 2011 - 18 FEBRUARY 2012 • ADVENTURE THEATRE • APPROX 45 MINutes Polka Theatre presents

Adapted by Jonathan Lloyd

It’s summertime and there’s one egg left to hatch. Crack! Peep! Quack!?? What’s this…?

Out tumbles the biggest, strangest duckling you’ve ever seen. Honk! Hiss! Argh! Follow Ugly Duckling through all the sights and sounds of the duckyard, as he waddles, swims and flaps his way into the big, wide world. Lost and lonely, will he ever find where he belongs?

This brand new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale is by the director and designer of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the composer of Skitterbang Island.

The Ugly Duckling promises to be a playful and tender production, brought to life with delightful music, movement and puppetry.

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Schools Tickets £7

EYFS

3 -5

years

Curriculum links to the Early Years Foundation Stage With its themes of self-identity, growing up and journeying into the wider world, our production uses an evocative combination of sound, music, movement, puppetry and a strong element of visual design. This classic tale reflects the social and emotional development within early childhood in a gently resonant, engaging and imaginative way. Links can be made across the six areas of Learning and Development in a wide variety of ways:

Br

inging t C he cuurrrricicuulu m l u m tLoinlifkes

• personal, social and emotional development: self confidence, self esteem and making relationships • communication, language and literacy: language for communication • problem solving, reasoning and numeracy • knowledge and understanding of the world: exploration and investigation • physical development: movement and space, health and bodily awareness • creative development: being creative, responding to experiences, developing imagination and play.

Illustration by Charlotte Cooke

11 NOVEMBER 2011 - 4 FEBRUARY 2012 • MAIN THEATRE • Approx 2 HOURS INC INTERVAL Polka Theatre presents

Music and lyrics by Charles Strouse

Come and meet the award-winning pig!

Wilbur’s no ordinary farmhouse pig and he’d do anything to avoid ending up on the dinner table.

But help arrives from the most unlikely of places… a spider’s web, in the corner of the barn. As Wilbur grows bigger and plumper, his friendship with the tiny spider Charlotte grows too. But how far will she go to save her best friend?

Casting a web of enchantment over children and adults this winter, E.B.White’s classic is brought to life in the best tradition of Polka’s shows, with magic, excitement, songs and unforgettable characters. Will Charlotte and Fern, the farmer’s daughter, be able to save the “terrific” and “radiant” Wilbur? Head to Polka to find out!

“Find the animal in the human, and the human in the animal, in a thoroughly entertaining way” The Sunday Times Production by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS

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Schools Tickets £10 KS1 & KS2

5 -11 years

Exclusive Behind the Scenes Schools Packages are available for Charlotte’s Web with the chance to meet and question the director and find out what goes on backstage. Places are limited, see page 12 for more information!

KS1 & KS2 English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to: • identify how character and setting are created, and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed

Bringin g curricu the lum to life

• imagine and explore feelings and ideas, focusing on creative uses of language and how to interest the reader • use character, action and narrative to convey story, themes, emotions, ideas in plays they devise.

KS1 & KS2 PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to: • recognise their worth as individuals by identifying positive things about themselves and their achievements, seeing their mistakes, making amends and setting personal goals • be aware of different types of relationships, including those between friends and families, and to develop the skills to be effective in relationships • reflect on spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues, using imagination to understand other people’s experiences.

Illustration by Teresa Murfin

16 FEBRUARY - 21 APRIL 2012 • MAIN THEATRE • RUNNING TIME TBC Polka Theatre presents

Adapted by Simon Reade With famine gripping Ireland, Sean and Annie have just one chance of survival – they must find their father.

Leaving their dying mother behind, they travel across rough seas to America. With only the gold torc that Annie wears as a necklace to protect them, they embark on a long and dangerous journey. But will they ever be reunited with their family?

Join us for an epic adventure as Polka brings to life a classic novel by the masterful storyteller and author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo.

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Schools Tickets £8 KS2 & KS3

9 -13 years

Illustration by Rhett Podersoo

KS2 & KS3 History pupils can be encouraged to:

KS2 & KS3 English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:

KS2 & KS3 PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:

• consider the significance of events, people and developments in their historical context and in the present day

• identify how character and setting are created, and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed

• think about the lives of people living in other places and times, and people with different values and customs

• understand the diverse experiences and ideas, beliefs and attitudes in past societies and how these have shaped the world

• understand how English varies locally and globally, and how it relates to identity and cultural diversity

• consider social and moral dilemmas that they come across in life

• investigate aspects of personal, family or local history and how they relate to a broader historical context.

• explore the ways that words, actions, sound and staging combine to create dramatic moments.

• identify and respect the differences and similarities between people.

Bringin g curricu the lum to life 10

Tue 21 - Sat 25 Feb 2012 • adventure theatre • 35 minutes Shona Reppe Puppets present

Potato

Schools Tickets £7

Needs a Bath

There is going to be a party and everyone is ready – except Potato. Onion is practising his guitar, Aubergine is wearing her new necklace and Peach is bouncing on the bed with excitement. Potato needs a bath – but he has other ideas – because Potato loves mud! A light-hearted, gentle and highly visual treat featuring fruit, veg and original music.

Bringin g curricu the lum to life

11

EYFS

3 -5

years

Embracing areas of Learning and Development within the EYFS, Potato Needs a Bath has particular relevance to aspects within personal, social and emotional development; communication, language and literacy; knowledge and understanding of the world and creative development.

Polka is delighted to be offering some great new school workshops for both pupils and teachers. Why not bring the magic of Polka to your school?

Polka’s directors, puppeteers, playwrights and actors can lead workshops in your school hall. We can work with up to 30 children at a time and tailor-make the experience to suit your group. To book a workshop contact Lucia on 020 8545 8329 or lucia@polkatheatre.com.

Puppet-making Workshops

Page to Stage

Our professional puppet and prop makers deliver workshops exploring either rod puppets, hand puppets, two dimensional puppets, junk puppets or the art of object manipulation. Focusing on a theme or book you are working on in class, we can work with your group to create puppets and bring them to life.

Let us help you make books and stories more accessible by bringing them to life in your classroom using drama games and techniques.

Playwriting Workshops Our playwrights visit your class and work with them on devising their own script using creative drama techniques to focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing.

An Actor’s Life Workshop Learn warm-ups, acting techniques, improvisation exercises and some of the tricks of the trade.

Play in a Day Our director visits your class and works with them throughout the day to devise a play. We can focus on a specific theme or aspect of the curriculum and through improvisation, role play and storytelling techniques, use drama to explore other areas of learning.

Multi-sensory Workshops These workshops are for SEN groups and can be adapted to suit your group’s individual needs. Contact Lucia for more information.

Teacher Training If you and a group of colleagues would like to learn more about creativity and using drama to teach across the curriculum why not book an inset session to take place at your school? Contact Janna on 020 8545 8326 for more information.

Brand New Charlotte’s Web Workshop and Show Packages Behind the Scenes After-show Talk Package

New!

Book a behind the scenes aftershow talk package for just £2 extra per ticket. Find out how special effects are created for Charlotte’s Web on Friday 9 December and Friday 20 January. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to talk to the director of the show, find out how the show was created and discover some of the magic behind the scenes.

Show-related Workshop Packages Why not book a show-related workshop package and save £’s?

Our show-related workshops will inspire and bring the shows to life using drama to explore key themes and issues from Charlotte’s Web. Our workshop packages are £350 for up to 30 children and include tickets to the show, a workshop at your school, a free teacher resource pack and activity sheets for the students and free teacher tickets – all at a discounted package price.

For more information call the Box Office on 020 8543 4888 today!

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Reduced-price preview performance

Twilight schools shows BSL interpreted After-show talk Autism friendly performance

Free tickets for teachers One teacher or accompanying adult goes free for every ten students. Teachers are also invited to claim free tickets to performances in the first week of a production, should you wish to preview a show before making a group booking. Contact the Box Office to book your free tickets.

Reservations and payments

september 11 Fr 23 I Have a Dream… 2.00 Tu 27 I Have a Dream…

We 28 I Have a Dream…

Th 29 I Have a Dream…

Fr 30 I Have a Dream…

Cheques are payable to Polka Theatre. In most cases, payment must be made at least 6 weeks before the date of your visit.

october 11

Risk Assessment

We 5 I Have a Dream…

Polka can provide a written risk assessment for your visit to the theatre if you require it or download this from our website at www.polkatheatre.com

Th 6 I Have a Dream…

Tu 4 I Have a Dream…

Fr

7 I Have a Dream…

Tu 11 I Have a Dream…

We 12 I Have a Dream…

Refreshments

Th 13 I Have a Dream…

Ices and drinks are available but must be ordered in advance. Contact the Polka Front of House team on 020 8545 8335 or download an order form from the Polka website.

Eating at Polka Polka makes a nominal charge of £10 for groups wishing to eat packed lunches at the theatre. Space for your group to eat must be pre-booked and paid for in advance. Please enquire with the Box Office when booking your group’s show tickets.

Fr 14 I Have a Dream…

Tu 18 I Have a Dream…

We 19

Th 20

Fr 21

I Have a Dream…

Ugly Duckling 10.35 /2.05 I Have a Dream… 5.00 Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 I Have a Dream…

Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05

november 11 We 2 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

Th 3 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

Fr

4 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

Tu 8 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

We 9 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

Th 10 Ugly Duckling

10.35/12.30/2.05

Fr 11 Charlotte’s Web 2.00 /7.00 Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05

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Box Office: 020 8543 4888

Schools performances are usually scheduled for 10.30am and 2pm.

Please check with the Box Office for further information.

Main Theatre shows in violet Adventure Theatre shows in pink

january 12

Tu 15 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 We 16 Charlotte’s Web Th 17

Fr 18

Tu 22

We 23

Th 24

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web

Fr 25

Tu 29

We 30

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/1.00/2.30 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05

10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05

december 11 Th 1

Fr 2

Tu 6

We 7

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web

Th 8

Fr 9

Tu 13

We 14

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web

Th 15

Fr 16

Tu 20

We 21

Th 22

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling

We 4

Th 5

Fr 6

We 11

Th 12

Fr 13

We 18

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web

Th 19

Fr 20

Tu 24

We 25

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web

Th 26

Fr 27

Tu 31

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05 Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling 10.35/2.05

10.35/1.00/2.30 10.35/2.05

Th 23

Fr 24

Tu 28

Twist of Gold Potato Twist of Gold Potato Twist of Gold

10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05

We 29 Twist of Gold

10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05

march 12 Th 1 Twist of Gold Fr

2 Twist of Gold

Tu 6 Twist of Gold We 7 Twist of Gold Th 8 Twist of Gold Fr

5.00

9 Twist of Gold

Tu 13 Twist of Gold We 14 Twist of Gold Th 15 Twist of Gold Fr 16 Twist of Gold Tu 20 Twist of Gold We 21 Twist of Gold Th 22 Twist of Gold Fr 23 Twist of Gold

February 12 We 1

Th 2

Fr 3

Tu 7

10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 11.00/2.30 11.05/2.35 11.00/2.30 11.05/12.30/2.35 11.00/2.30 11.05/2.35

Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Charlotte’s Web Ugly Duckling Ugly Duckling

Tu 27 Twist of Gold We 28 Twist of Gold 10.35/1.00/2.30

Th 29 Twist of Gold

10.35/2.05

Fr 30 Twist of Gold

10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05

We 8 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

Fr 10 Ugly Duckling

10.35/2.05

Tu 21

We 22

Twist of Gold Potato Twist of Gold Potato

4.30

April 12 Tu 17 Twist of Gold We 18 Twist of Gold

10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05

Th 19 Twist of Gold Fr 20 Twist of Gold

www.polkatheatre.com

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By train Wimbledon (14 minutes from Waterloo)

By tram Wimbledon

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By bike There is a cycle rack at the theatre Design: Eureka! www.eureka.co.uk Print: PPS Fine Print

Coach Parking We would suggest that coach drivers are informed that parking on The Broadway is not permitted. Once the children have been dropped outside the theatre, coaches are welcome to wait in Morden Park Car Park (Merton College), London Road, Morden, SM4.

Did you know that you and your school can get FREE travel through TFL? Simply email school.party@tube.tfl.gov.uk for more information and an application form or phone The School Party Admin Team 0845 330 9876 then select option 2 then option 4.

Wheelchair access

Induction loop

BSL interpreted performances

Working dogs welcome

Autism friendly performances Accessible toilet Touch tours Specialist workshops Scripts available in advance

Box Office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com Polka is a registered charity no. 256979

With the support of the Culture programme of the European Union.

Printed on mixed source paper from responsibly managed forests

Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway Wimbledon London SW19 1SB

We are committed to making Polka accessible to everyone.

If you have any access requirements, please let us know when booking.