Polka Theatre Appoints Lynette Shanbury As New Executive Director

Polka Theatre for Children has today announced the appointment of Lynette Shanbury as Executive Director and joint CEO. Shanbury is currently Executive Director of Spare Tyre and will be joining Polka in August, following the retirement of Stephen Midlane, who steps down after 41 years with the company.

Shanbury brings with her a wealth of experience built up over more than 15 years in theatre. She is currently Executive Director of Spare Tyre, a leading participatory arts charity which produces theatre with 'voiceless communities' including adults with learning disabilities, dementia, carers and women who have experience of violence. Prior to this, Shanbury was Executive Director at Little Angel Theatre in Islington where she worked for eight years. As Executive Director, she will be joint CEO with Polka's Artistic Director, Peter Glanville.

Commenting on the appointment, Sarah King, Chair of Trustees at Polka Theatre, said "Stephen Midlane leaves big shoes to fill so we could not be more delighted Lynette will be joining us. She has clearly achieved an enormous amount at Spare Tyre, which like Polka, is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation. With an ambitious capital project underway, attracting someone of Lynette's calibre was key. She brings that rare combination: strategic flare and organisational ability combined with a genuine commitment to children's theatre and the values that are so central to Polka."

Lynette Shanbury added "I am thrilled to be joining Polka at this pivotal moment in its history. Polka Theatre has a very special place in the ecology of the UK theatre sector. It manages to balance being a theatre company of national and international significance, producing innovative and ambitious new work, whilst still being absolutely grounded in its local community. It is a much-loved venue that genuinely has children at its heart. I cannot think of a better place to continue my career, being inspired every day by the children who flock through the theatre's doors."

Peter Glanville, Polka's Artistic Director said today "I am extremely pleased that Lynette will be joining us as Executive Director and Joint CEO. The next few years are going to be the most challenging and exciting since Polka first opened - in addition to the FUTURE POLKA redevelopment, we also have a highly ambitious closure programme, working with strategic partners both locally and nationally, as well as a major project commissioned to celebrate our 40th anniversary. Lynette brings a drive, knowledge and passion for children's theatre and the impact of the arts, which is going to be crucial as we move forward with a bold artistic vision for the future.

Operating for almost 40 years from its venue in Wimbledon, Polka is Britain's leading theatre venue for children ages 0 - 12. Over 90,000 children, along with their families and teachers, from across London and the South East visit each year to see inspiring, new theatre including plays, opera, dance, digital theatre and puppetry as well as interactive storytelling and creative learning workshops. Although firmly rooted in the local community, Polka is a theatre company of national and international significance with productions travelling across the UK and overseas to cities as far apart as Toronto, Istanbul, Shanghai, Sydney and Hong Kong.

FUTURE POLKA is the theatre's initiative for reimagining and developing Polka Theatre for future generations and as a vibrant hub for the local community. The project includes establishing a national centre for Early Years theatre, the opening of Polka's first onsite rehearsal studio, supporting its PolkaLAB professional development programme and improving access throughout the venue to enable greater participation by actors and audience with mobility impairments.

FUTURE POLKA represents an exciting opportunity to ensure the survival of a pioneering, world-class theatre for children and much-loved centre for its local community. As of this week, Polka Theatre has raised nearly 70% of the project's £6.5 million target.

For more information, visit: https://polkatheatre.com/futurepolka/