Julian Butler News

Three brand new productions offer something for all age ranges at Little Angel Theatre. Learn more about the upcoming lineup here!

I first heard about the book Can Bears Ski? on the BBC news. I thought a play inspired by the story of Little Bear, who was born deaf, would be a perfect chance to bring awareness to our young audience, developing empathy and greater understanding of diversity in the world around them, in a delightful and fun way.

Full cast and creative team details have been revealed for Polka Theatre's 2023 Winter shows. Learn more about The Snow Queen and The Night Before Christmas here, and find out how to get tickets!

Little Angel Theatre has announced its Autumn /Winter Season which includes a major new adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book reuniting adaptors Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane (who also directs) following their celebrated collaboration on the Olivier-nominated The Smartest Giant in Town, also written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Polka Theatre's Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive Helen Matravers has announced details of all the exciting activity taking place in the Wimbledon venue over the upcoming summer holidays. Learn more about the lineup here!

A fun family adaptation of the Julia Donaldson picture book that will appeal to anyone who has ever found themselves in charge of the class bear.

The Everywhere Bear – a show for 3 – 7 year olds - will play at Polka Theatre from Saturday 27 May – Sunday 13 August. This captivating and beautiful story from best-selling author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Rebecca Cobb, springs to life with rhyme, original music and delightfully expressive puppets in Polka's fun and exciting stage adaptation, returning to the theatre after a hugely successful run in 2019.

Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Polka Theatre are collaborating once again to present The Night Before Christmas. Following on from previous successful co-productions of The Everywhere Bear and Moominsummer Madness, this festive story will bring the magic of Christmas to life in Royal & Derngate's Underground Studio from Friday 25 November to Saturday 31 December.

With The Emperor’s New Clothes currently running in the Main Theatre space, Peter Glanville - Artistic Director of Polka Theatre has announced the run of The Paper Dolls, which plays in Polka’s Adventure Theatre, opening on 28 May, with previews from 21 May, and runs until 7 August.

Today, 24 November 2021 iconic children's venue Little Angel Theatre celebrates 60 years of entertaining and inspiring generations of families through the magical artform of puppetry.  When a troupe of enthusiastic puppeteers under the leadership of John and Lyndie Wright transformed a derelict temperance hall in Islington into a theatre specially designed for children's marionette shows in 1961, nothing like it existed anywhere in London. 

Polka Theatre are bringing wonder to Wimbledon this winter, with the world premiere of madcap musical adventure Cinderella: the AWESOME truth. This feel-good festive show, with music and lyrics by the award-winning Felix Hagan (Operation Mincemeat, New Diorama Theatre), celebrates the power of friendship and self-worth.

60 years later, under the leadership of artistic director Samantha Lane and executive director Peta Swindall, this unique theatre continues to evolve and innovate, reaching millions across the globe through its acclaimed live and digital programme.

Polka Theatre, the UK's first theatre designed specifically for 0-12 year olds, is reopening its doors with an exciting season of new productions and free activities for the whole family this August. From a perilous adventure across swamplands, to a modern take on a fairy tale and a young girl's heart-warming adventure, there is something for everyone as Polka once again brings world class family theatre and creative learning activities to London following its two- and half-year closure.

Park Bench Theatre is bringing live theatre back to York with an outdoor season of monologues for all ages in the city's Rowntree Park from 12 August to 5 September.

This year, the ever-popular sitcom Friends turns 25 years old; and what better way to celebrate than by seeing it memorialised on stage in musical form?

There's no need to travel up to Edinburgh to enjoy the best of the Fringe Festival - it's right here on your doorstep.

FRIENDSICAL, the hilarious parody musical written by Miranda Larson, will embark on a extensive UK tour, opening at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on 15 July 2019 followed by: Darlington, Derry, Newcastle, Kingston, Malvern, Blackpool, Chelmsford, Southampton and Croydon. Friendsical will also enjoy a full run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 1 - 25 August as part of the Assembly Festival programme in The Assembly Rooms' Music Hall.

Full casting has been announced for the eagerly awaited world premiere of Friendsical the Musical coming to Darlington Hippodrome from 24 to 27 July.

Full casting has been announced for the eagerly awaited world premiere of Friendsical. Playing everyone's favourite friends are Jordan Fox (Joey), Sarah Goggin (Monica), Jamie Lee-Morgan (Ross), Thomas Mitchells (Chandler), Ally Retberg (Phoebe) and Charlotte Elisabeth York (Rachel). They will be joined by Duncan Burt (Ensemble) and Rebecca Withers (Ensemble).

Brooke Mauchline Productions and Nicoll Entertainment present the live show of the YouTube sensation Little Baby Bum. "LITTLE BABY BUM LIVE" plays as part of the TroubaKids Festival at the brand-new Troubadour White City in West London from 23 July to August 2019. "LITTLE BABY BUM LIVE" will also have a season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 5 to 18 August 2019 at the Assembly Hall, George Aikman Theatre, Edinburgh.