A trip to Polka Theatre is not just about the show you go to see. There’s a fab playground, lovely cafe and lots more to do while you wait for the doors to open. I’d totally overestimated the journey time and was contemplating some grumpy waiting around. Thankfully, MJ and G spent ages exploring the outdoor playground – which is nicely imaginative with a big wooden creature to climb on and a two-story timbered play house.
Inside the theatre foyer the fun continues with rocking horses, a reading corner, dressing up box, and little secret doors lining a starlit passageway. If you’re in need of refreshments, the cute and reasonably-priced little cafe has train-carriage booths to sit in too.
We were at the Polka Theatre to see My Brother, My Sister and Me, a show written and directed by Sarah Argent for children aged 2 to 5, which explores sibling relationships. The boys sat on the carpet within touching distance of the stage and were entranced as the story unfolded – brilliantly performed by Leona Allen and Craig Gazey. It’s a beautifully simple but charming tale of a brother and sister who are forced to share a bedroom due to the arrival of a new baby sibling.
There’s some initial reluctance, which leads to comic squabbling over territory and uncertainty about how this new arrangement is going to work (especially how to accommodate the sister’s large collection of hats). Despite this, their love for each other and the fun they have playing together, and with the brother’s favourite toy Gecko, transcends it all.
It’s the best show for little children that we’ve seen for ages; cleverly crafted to appeal perfectly to its young audience with lots of make-believe, songs, repetition, slapstick, simple dialogue and familiar aspects of everyday life. The emotional impact it had on my own room-sharing boys was unexpected – they were hugging each other by the end, and singing the “sibling” song all the way home.
My Brother, My Sister and Me is at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon until 11 February 2017. Tickets cost £12.50, concessions £9. Check out the rest of Polka Theatre’s Winter programme, which includes The Snow Queen over the Christmas period.
For more great day trip ideas, take a look at babydaytripper’s list of reviews.
Babydaytripper was invited to see this show. This review reflects our honest opinions of what we saw!