September 10 - March 11
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For EYFS, KS1 - KS3
Wimbledon, District Line South Wimbledon, Northern Line
By train Wimbledon (14 minutes from Waterloo)
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57, 93, 219, 131 stop outside at the Polka Theatre stop 156, 163, 164, 200, stop nearby
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Schools Brochure
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
Accessible Toilet Touch tours Specialist workshops
Box Office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com Polka is a registered charity no. 256979
Scripts available in advance
With the support of the Culture programme of the European Union.
Design: Eureka! www.eureka.co.uk Print: PPS Fine Print
We are committed to making Polka accessible to everyone. If you have any access requirements, please let us know when booking.
Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway Wimbledon London SW19 1SB
Box Office: 020 8543 4888
www.polkatheatre.com
What’s coming up? Mission to Mars KS2
3/4
Lost and Found EYFS - KS1
5/6
The Snow Queen KS1 - KS2
7/8
Machine Gunners 9/10 KS2 - KS3
Hello and welcome to autumn at Polka… Firstly, a huge thanks to all the children and schools who took part in our story-writing competition, Writing the World. We received nearly triple the amount of entries than last year and loved reading so many wonderful stories. Don’t forget to visit polkatheatre.com to read the winning entries. This autumn, Polka will be heading into space for a thrilling new adventure Mission to Mars, perfect for all KS2 pupils. As winter approaches, we will be captivating schools and nurseries with two shows: Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, and in the Adventure Theatre we have the perfect treat for early years and nursery pupils with the heart-warming Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers.
Take Part
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Playhouse
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Fun Polka facts for schools
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Polka’s Workshop Menu
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Writing the World – Brazil 2011
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Don’t forget to visit our brand new website to keep up-to-date with everything at Polka and make use of all the FREE teacher resources and online rehearsal diaries at www.polkatheatre.com.
Visiting Polka
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We hope to see you all soon.
Season Diary
17/18
Mission to Mars
KS2
1 Oct - 6 Nov 2010 Themes • Learn facts about space, the universe & micro gravity • Routine • Friendship • Looking into the future
13 Oct 2010 - 12 Feb 2011 • Emotions, feelings and confessions • Distance & loneliness • Problem solving and working together • Even though we are small, we can still make a big difference
The Snow Queen 19 Nov 2010 - 5 Feb 2011
Jonathan Lloyd Artistic Director
Themes • Friendship • Good and evil • Poem, song rhyme • Storytelling and narrating • Characters re-enacting a story
Lost and Found
KS1 & KS2
• Telling a story from your own point of view and others point of view • Helping others in need and doing good deeds • Adventure
Themes • Home, journeys, feeling lost and belonging
• Extends to all 6 key areas of learning and development
The Machine Gunners 11 Feb - 9 Apr 2011 Themes • Set during WW2 in England, historical event • Friendship • Working together and getting along • Survival
EYFS - KS1
KS2 & KS3
• Bullying and competitive pressure • Family • Patriotism • Language used in context • Related reading and resources
Polka Theatre and Unlimited Theatre present
KS2, English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to: • discuss topical issues that emerge from the performance • identify features of language used for a specific purpose, to persuade, instruct and entertain • draw on their background knowledge and understanding of the content.
Curricu lum Links
KS2, Science pupils can be encouraged to: • ask questions that can be investigated scientifically and decide how to find answers • investigate the part science has played in the development of many useful things • consider that objects are pulled downwards because of the gravitational attraction between them and the Earth • extend their knowledge, skills and understanding, particularly the Earth and beyond.
By Clare Duffy, Jon Spooner & Chris Thorpe Written in consultation with Dr Gail Iles and Dr Andy Newsam Directed by Jon Spooner
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! It’s 2035, and we’re ready to send the first human beings to Mars. Gail and Stephan have been selected from thousands, and are ready to launch. Their four friends and colleagues are following close behind. We want you to come with them. Fun, fast-paced and packed with emotion, Unlimited Theatre’s new show is based on the real science of planned Mars missions. Join Gail and Stephan as they defy gravity and go further through the solar system than we’ve ever been before. Ever wondered if you have what it takes? Come and experience all the excitement, danger and discovery of the next giant leap into space…
Schools Tickets £8
KS2
KS2, PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to: • resolve differences by looking at alternatives, making decisions and explaining choices • be aware of different types of relationships, and to develop the skills to be effective in relationships • develop confidence and responsibility and make the most of their abilities.
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Illustration by Graham Smith
1 OCTOBER - 6 NOVEMBER 2010 • MAIN THEATRE • approx 75 minutes no interval
13 OCTOBER 2010 - 12 FEBRUARY 2011 • ADVENTURE THEATRE • APPROX 40 MINUTES Polka Theatre and Travelling Light present
Illustration by Oliver Jeffers from Lost and Found published by HarperCollins Limited Publishers © Oliver Jeffers
By Oliver Jeffers Directed by Sally Cookson
Once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at his door… …he didn’t know where it came from or who it belonged to. The penguin looked sad and the boy thought it must be lost. So he decided to help it find its way home, even if that meant rowing all the way to the South Pole. After the success of How to Catch a Star in 2008, this season Polka will bring to life on stage another of Oliver Jeffers’ acclaimed picture books. This simple and touching tale of friendship is the perfect festive treat for a younger audience.
Schools Tickets £7 EYFS - KS1
This delightful and touching story of friendship introduces a range of themes and ideas with which children will identify at different stages of their emotional and intellectual development: home, journeys, feeling lost and belonging. Above all, it’s a celebration of companionship. Aspects of the play extend into all six areas of Learning and Development, but with most obvious connections to:
• personal, social and emotional development: disposition, attitudes, self confidence and self esteem • communication, language and literacy: language for communication • knowledge and understanding of the world: exploration and investigation • creative development: responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas.
Curricu lum Links
‘A heartwarming story’ The Guardian 5
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19 NOVEMBER 2010 - 5 FEBRUARY 2011 • MAIN THEATRE • 1 HOUR 45 MINUTES INC INTERVAL Polka Theatre presents
Hans Christian Andersen’s
Adapted by Mike Kenny Directed by Jonathan Lloyd
KS1 & KS2 PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:
• use character, action and narrative to convey the story, themes and emotions
• recognise that their actions affect themselves and others, learn to care about other people’s feelings and to try and see things from their point of view
• recognise the differences between author, narrator and character • identify how characters and settings are created, and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed
Curricu lum Links
• recognise the choice, use and effect of figurative language, vocabulary and patterns of language • present drama and stories to others (for example, telling a story through tableaux or using a narrator).
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• resolve differences by looking at alternatives, making decisions and explaining choices • think about the lives of people living in other places and times, and people with different values and customs • reflect on spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues, using imagination to understand other people’s experiences.
Once upon a time, there were two friends, Kai and Gerda. They did everything together and were inseparable. But, one cold, cold night, Kai falls under the spell of the evil Snow Queen and is whisked away on her sleigh to the icy palace far away.
Schools Tickets £10 KS1 & KS2
Illustration by Zdenko Bašic and Manuel Šumberac
KS1 & KS2, English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:
Enter the spellbinding world of the Snow Queen…
Can Gerda save Kai from the Snow Queen and remove the splinter of glass in his heart? And will she survive the epic journey across rivers, forests and snow to reach him in time? Join us this winter for an enchanting tale of friendship and discovery based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story. 8
11 FEBRUARY - 9 april 2011 • MAIN THEATRE • RUNNING TIME TBC Polka Theatre presents
THE
M A C H I NR SE GUNNE
s McGill has a h C g n u o Y . war Britain is at own d n a , 0 4 9 1 ouvenirs in t It’s s r a w f o n io est collect day, the second b e best. One h t e b o t it er tely wants erman bomb but despera G n w o d t o h across a s his he stumbles nir to add to e v u o s e t a s the ultim and snatche achine gun. m a : n io t c e ll co KS2 & KS3, History pupils can be encouraged to:
Based on the novel by Robert Westall Adapted by Ali Taylor Amidst the bombs and air raids, Chas and his friends plan their own war effort in their newly built bunker. Friendships are forged and loyalties tested, in the adventure of a lifetime… The Machine Gunners won the Carnegie Medal and was recently voted one of the 10 most important children’s novels of the past 70 years. This moving and touching story vividly re-creates life in Britain during World War II, and is guaranteed to resonate with children and adults today.
Schools Tickets £8 KS2 & KS3
• study the impact of the Second World War on the lives of men, women and children from different sections of society • communicate their knowledge and understanding of history in a variety of ways • explore the ways in which the past has helped shape identities, shared cultures, values and attitudes today.
Curricu lum Links
KS2 & KS3, English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:
The Machine Gunners is being staged in collaboration with Imperial War Museum London, as part of its 2011 exhibition about Children’s War Literature.
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• engage with and reflect on different ideas, opinions, beliefs and values when exploring topical and controversial issues and problems
• make fresh connections between ideas, experiences, texts and words, drawing on a rich experience of language and literature
• realise the consequences of anti-social and aggressive behaviours, such as bullying and racism, on individuals and communities
• evaluate ideas and themes that broaden perspectives and extend thinking.
• think about the lives of people living in other places and times.
© Clayton Bastiani/Trevillion Images
• engage with a challenging and demanding subject matter
KS2 & KS3, PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:
“ Thank you for helping us in our performance. Because of you, every little detail was perfect....
Words from War Polka and the Imperial War Museum have teamed up to offer you and your students a fantastic opportunity to take part in an exhibition called Words from War. Postcards were one of the only ways in which families were able to receive news from loved ones during the Second World War. We would like you and your class to send us postcards that reflect what war means to you. Your postcards will be displayed all around the building for everyone to see throughout the run of The Machine Gunners. The exhibition is open to all Year 5 - 8 students, simply email janna@polkatheatre.com for more information.
Meet the space scientists
Fri 8 Oct (after the 10.30am show)
Darcy (Year 5)
Come and see Mission to Mars and join real life Dr Gail Iles (on whom the character Gail is based) and Dr Andrew Newsam for a FREE after-show talk as they discuss what it’s really like training for a mission into space. Students and teachers are invited to come armed with all their space questions for an opportunity not to be missed!
Cosmic! Free talk with Frank Cottrell Boyce Thu 14 Oct, 1.30pm This is a great opportunity to meet the CILIP Carnegie award-winning author Frank Cottrell Boyce in a special one-off session for Merton schools. Hear him talk about his rocket-fuelled adventure novel Cosmic, which tells the story of a boy who (accidently) ends up lost in space! After Frank’s talk you will also be able to buy a copy of his book and have it personally signed. Please contact mandy@polkatheatre.com to book your free tickets – early booking is strongly recommended. This event is part of the Wimbledon Bookfest’s Schools programme.
It was amazing watching the audience laugh at our jokes and wonderful to hear the applause at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Our National Collaboration between York Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Dundee Rep to commission playwrights to write plays for Year 5 and 6 teachers and their classes is well underway. This year the writers are Dan Jamieson, Tanika Gupta, Neil Duffield, Fraser Grace, Richard Hurford and Nick Wood. Teachers from our six London schools have returned from a two-day retreat in Cornwall where they met teachers from the other theatres and attended workshops held by the writers and theatre practitioners from all three venues.
Polka staff are now supporting the teachers, as directors, as they prepare their class for the National Festival in July held at all the venues throughout the country. If this sounds like something that you and your school would love to be part of next year please contact Janna@polkatheatre.com or call 020 8545 8326 today for more information.
Future Me Project Polka is working with three schools on a unique drama and multi-media project that will enable students to send messages to their future selves in 2035. What will they write to themselves in the future? This project is inspired by Polka and Unlimited Theatre’s autumn production of Mission to Mars. The messages created by the students will then form part of an interactive exhibition around Polka.
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Free Teacher E-Newsletters Stay up to date with all the latest Polka news for teachers and schools. It is a FREE service which guarantees you will know about the latest shows and news from Polka first! Simply email Samantha@polkatheatre.com with your name and email address.
Polka is a great resource for teachers and schools, as well as shows we offer all of this… • A brand new website which includes some fantastic FREE teacher resources – including videos, downloadable packs and rehearsal diaries. Visit www.polkatheatre.com and click on the For Schools section • Free teacher preview tickets – come along and watch the show before you bring your class (Main House productions only) • Free signed performances for schools – simply tell us what date you would like to come along to see the show and we can arrange for the BSL signer to be at that particular show (or you are welcome to bring your own signer with you) • Show-related workshops available to complement your visit to see the show
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• Curtain-Up! Free tickets for schools who have not yet visited Polka due to financial or other difficulties. Call Sheetal on 020 8545 8349 for more information • Free unique packages for SEN Schools – Do you work for a Special School? Polka can offer a FREE unique package which includes a pre-show visit from a workshop leader and a follow-up multi-sensory workshop which is all included in the price of your tickets! • Risk Assessment is available to download from the website or we can send a copy on request.
Teachers Advisory Panel Calling all teachers who wish to help Polka continue to make a difference to schools. Polka’s Teacher Advisory Panel needs your help and input! We are looking to recruit more teachers who can let us know how Polka can serve you better. The advisory panel meets termly, with refreshments and theatre tickets available for all teachers who attend!
Menu Polka’s Workshop rkshops for both pupils
array of exciting wo Polka offers a huge Polka to your school? t bring the magic of no hy W rs. he ac te and rkshops • Show-related wo th • Black History Mon y • Play in a da • Puppetry • Multi-sensory • Teacher training school T sessions for your • Tailor-made INSE for l on 020 8545 8349 Simply call Sheeta r or to book any of ou further information . excellent workshops
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Risk Assessment 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
Eating at Polka
Pens at the ready as Writing the World heads to Brazil! 2011 is the fourth year of our popular story-writing competition for children of primary school age. We were inundated with stories this year inspired by South Africa and have loved reading them all. After such a huge success, we thought that we would let you know about next year’s country so that you and your class can make 2011 an even bigger year for entries! We are inviting all children of primary school age to write stories inspired by Brazil in 2011. Make sure that you keep checking www.polkatheatre.com for more details and top writing tips. “I wanted to express my thanks for all your hard work and the excellent organisation of the competition. The author’s praise of the children’s work was wonderful recognition as were the prizes themselves.” Taslima Mirza – Ibrahim Steele’s mum (2009 winner)
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Booking for your group Please give parents plenty of notice of your plans to visit Polka Theatre.
Free tickets for teachers Image by Writing the World 2009 Winner, Jessica Taussig
Competition Details The winning stories will be performed on Polka’s stage alongside the lead author’s story in July 2011. Competition Essentials • From the beginning of January 2011 visit www.polkatheatre.com for full competition guidelines, how to enter and writing tips to get you started. • There are three categories: - Years 1 & 2 (storyboard) - Years 3 & 4 (short stories) - Years 5 & 6 (short stories) • The closing date for entries will be the beginning of April 2011. Good Luck and we hope that the children enjoy writing stories inspired by Brazil!
One teacher or accompanying adult goes free for every ten students. Teachers are also invited to claim free tickets to Main Theatre 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.
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. You can also arrange for the Polka Café to cater for your group. You can pre-order pasta, sandwiches, lunchpacks or drinks. Contact the café to discuss options or to place an order email cafe@polkatheatre.com or call 020 8545 8330
Reservations and payments Cheques are payable to ‘Polka Theatre’. In most cases, payment must be made at least 6 weeks before the date of your visit.
Refreshments 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 at www.polkatheatre.com
Box Office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com 16
october 10
november 10
january 11
Fr
Tu 2 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 We 3 Mission to Mars
We 5 Th 6 Fr 7 We 12
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen
Th 13 Fr 14 We 19 Th 20 Fr 21
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen
Tu 25 We 26 Th 27 Fr 28
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found
1 Mission to Mars 2.00
Tu 5 Mission to Mars We 6 Mission to Mars Th 7 Mission to Mars Fr
8 Mission to Mars
Tu 12 Mission to Mars
Main Theatre shows in violet Adventure Theatre shows in pink Reduced-price preview performance After-show talk Schools performances are usually scheduled for 10.30am and 2pm. Please check with the Box Office for further information.
We 13 Th 14 Fr 15 Tu 19 We 20 Th 21 Fr 22
Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35 /2.05 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Frank Cottrell Boyce 1.30 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 12.35/12.15/2.05 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05
Th 4 Fr 5 Tu 9
Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Lost & Found 10.35/2.05
We 10 Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
Fr 12 Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
Tu 16 Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
We 17 Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
Th 18 Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
Fr 19 Snow Queen
Tu 23 Snow Queen We 24 Th 25 Fr 26
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
Tu 30 Snow Queen Lost & Found
10.35/2.05
10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05
march 11 Tu 1 Machine Gunners 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05
If your school requires more copies of the schools brochure or the family brochure then please email samantha@polkatheatre.com or call the Box Office.
BSL Interpreted Performances We are happy to arrange BSL interpreted performances for schools for FREE. Simply call the Education Department on 020 8545 8349 to book or for more information.
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Box Office: 020 8543 4888
We 1 Snow Queen Th 2 Fr 3 Tu 7 We 8 Th 9
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen
10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05
4 Machine Gunners
Tu 8 Machine Gunners
Th 10 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05
Fr 11 Machine Gunners Tu 15 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05
We 16 Machine Gunners Th 17 Machine Gunners Fr 18 Machine Gunners
10.35/12.15/2.05
Tu 22 Machine Gunners We 23 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05
Th 24 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05
Fr 25 Machine Gunners Tu 29 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05
We 30 Machine Gunners Th 31 Machine Gunners
Th 3 Fr 4 Tu 8
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Lost & Found
We 9 Lost & Found
april 11 10.35/2.05
Fr
1 Machine Gunners
Tu 5 Machine Gunners 10.35/2.05
We 6 Machine Gunners Th 7 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05 10.35/2.05
Fr
8 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05
Fr 11 Machine Gunners Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Tu 15 Machine Gunners We 16 Machine Gunners
Fr 10 Snow Queen Lost & Found Tu 14 Snow Queen
10.35/2.05 11.00
We 15 Th 16 Fr 17
11.00 11.05/2.35 11.00/2.30 11.05/2.35 11.00 11.05/2.35
Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found Snow Queen Lost & Found
Fr
We 9 Machine Gunners
Tu 1 Snow Queen Lost & Found We 2 Snow Queen
december 10
Th 3 Machine Gunners
10.35/2.05
february 11
Additional Copies of the Schools Brochure
We 2 Machine Gunners
Th 17 Machine Gunners Fr 18 Machine Gunners
www.polkatheatre.com
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