The Polka Theatre was started as a puppet touring company in 1967 under the Artistic Directorship of Richard Gill. In 1976, Polka found the Holy Trinity Halls in Wimbledon and on 20th November 1979 the theatre opened with a Gala Performance attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

It is one of the few theatres in the UK which is dedicated exclusively to children and over 90,000 children attend productions at the Polka every year with the theatre hosting over 3.5 million visitors in over four decades. They only have one rule - Let your imagination run wild!

Polka will temporarily close on 18th February 2019 to undergo a major £6.5 million redevelopment with the building work starting in March and reopening in the summer of 2020. The work includes a New Adventure Theatre which will be the UK's first purpose-built 'Early Years' theatre big enough to meet the increased demand for shows for the under 6's, a multi-sensory garden, improved indoor and outdoor play areas and a larger café.

Even though the theatre is closing, Polka will still be continuing their fantastic work within the local community and as Polka is in its 40th year, the Polka40 project will be launched shortly. It will be themed around the rich and varied history of Polka and children's theatre over the past 40 years.

The project will include performances and workshops within the local primary schools, newly formed inter-generational community choirs and a touring exhibition which will start at Morden Hall Park in July 2019.

I am sure that the project will be very successful and the reopening of the theatre in the summer of 2020 will be highly anticipated. Here's to the next 40 years!