September 10 - march 11

polka theatre 240 the broadway Wimbledon London SW19 1Sb

box Office: 020 8543 4888

www.polkatheatre.com

Polka is a registered charity no. 256979

Design: Eureka! w

ww

.eureka.co.uk Print: PPS Fine Print

For eYFS, KS1 - KS3

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.

by bus57, 93, 219, 131 stop outside at the Polka Theatre stop156, 163, 164, 200, stop nearby

by tubeWimbledon, District LineSouth Wimbledon, Northern Line

by trainWimbledon (14 minutes from Waterloo)

by tramWimbledon

We are committed to making polka accessible to everyone. If you have any access requirements, please let us know when booking.

Wheelchair Access

Induction Loop

BSL interpreted performances

Working dogs welcome

Accessible Toilet

Touch tours

Specialist workshops

Scripts available in advance

With the support of the Culture programme of the European Union.

box Office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com

K I NG S TON RD

AL EXANDRARD

QUE EN’ S

RD

HART

F I ELD

RD

STGEO

RGE’SRD

SOUTHPARK

RD

PALMERSTON

RD

HARTFIELD

CRES

WIMBLEDON

SOUTH WIMBLEDON

DUNDONALD RD

TRIN

I TY

RD

T H E B ROADWAY MERTON

RD

HAYDON’S

RD

Jonathan Lloyd Artistic Director

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.

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.

We hope to see you all soon.

Mission to Mars1 Oct - 6 Nov 2010

Themes•Learnfactsabout space, the universe & micro gravity •Routine•Friendship•Lookingintothe future

•Emotions,feelings and confessions•Distance&loneliness•Problemsolvingand working together •Eventhoughwe are small, we can still make a big difference

The Snow Queen19 Nov 2010 - 5 Feb 2011

Themes•Friendship•Goodandevil•Poem,songrhyme•Storytellingand narrating •Characters re-enacting a story

•Tellingastoryfrom your own point of view and others point of view•Helpingothersin need and doing good deeds•Adventure

The Machine Gunners11 Feb - 9 Apr 2011

Themes•SetduringWW2 in England, historical event •Friendship•Workingtogether and getting along •Survival

•Bullyingand competitive pressure •Family•Patriotism•Languageused in context•Relatedreadingand resources

Themes•Home,journeys, feeling lost and belonging

•Extendstoall6key areas of learning and development

What’s coming up? Mission to Mars 3/4 KS2

Lost and Found 5/6EYFS - KS1

The Snow Queen 7/8KS1 - KS2

Machine Gunners 9/10KS2 - KS3

Take Part 11

Playhouse 12

Fun Polka facts 13 for schools

Polka’s Workshop 14 Menu

Writing the World 15 – Brazil 2011

Visiting Polka 16

Season Diary 17/18

KS2Lost and Found13 Oct 2010 - 12 Feb 2011

KS1 & KS2

KS2 & KS3

eYFS - KS1

1 OCTOBER - 6 NOVEMBER 2010 • MAIN THEATRE • AppROx 75 MINuTEs NO INTERVAl

Polka Theatre and Unlimited Theatre present

Join us for the adventure of a lifetime!

It’s 2035, and we’re ready to send the first human beings to Mars.GailandStephanhavebeenselectedfromthousands,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 Marsmissions.JoinGailandStephanastheydefygravityandgo 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

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by clare Duffy, Jon Spooner & chris thorpeWritten in consultation with Dr Gail Iles and Dr andy NewsamDirected by Jon Spooner

IllustrationbyGraham

Smith

KS2

KS2, English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:

•discusstopicalissuesthat emerge from the performance

• identifyfeaturesoflanguage used for a specific purpose, to persuade, instruct and entertain

•drawontheirbackground knowledge and understanding of the content.

KS2, Science pupils can be encouraged to:

•askquestionsthatcanbe investigated scientifically and decide how to find answers

• investigatethepartsciencehas played in the development of many useful things

•considerthatobjectsarepulled downwards because of the gravitational attraction between them and the Earth

•extendtheirknowledge,skills and understanding, particularly the Earth and beyond.

curriculum Links

KS2, PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:

•resolvedifferencesbylookingat alternatives, making decisions and explaining choices

•beawareofdifferenttypesof relationships, and to develop the skills to be effective in relationships

•developconfidenceandresponsibility and make the most of their abilities.

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schools Tickets £7

13 OCTOBER 2010 - 12 FEBRuARY 2011 • ADVENTuRE THEATRE • AppROx 40 MINuTEs

Polka Theatre and Travelling Light present

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.

‘A heartwarming story’ TheGuardian

by Oliver JeffersDirected by Sally cookson

Illustration by Oliver Jeffers from

Lost and Found published by HarperCollins Lim

ited Publishers © O

liver Jeffers

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 intellectualdevelopment: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,socialandemotional development: disposition, attitudes, self confidence and self esteem

• communication,languageandliteracy: language for communication

• knowledgeandunderstandingofthe world: exploration and investigation

• creativedevelopment:responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas.

curriculum Links

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19 NOVEMBER 2010 - 5 FEBRuARY 2011 • MAIN THEATRE • 1 HOuR 45 MINuTEs INC INTERVAl

Polka Theatre presents

Schools tickets £10

Enter the spellbinding world of the Snow Queen…

Onceuponatime,thereweretwofriends,KaiandGerda.Theydid 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.

CanGerdasaveKaifromtheSnowQueenandremovethesplinter of glass in his heart? And will she survive the epic journeyacrossrivers,forestsandsnowtoreachhimintime?

Join us this winter for an enchanting tale of friendship and discovery based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story.

adapted by mike KennyDirected by Jonathan Lloyd

Illustration by Zdenko Bašic and M

anuel Šumberac

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KS1 & KS2

KS1 & KS2 PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:

• recognisethattheiractionsaffect themselves and others, learn to care about other people’s feelings and to try and see things from their point of view

• resolvedifferencesbylookingat alternatives, making decisions and explaining choices

• thinkaboutthelivesofpeopleliving in other places and times, and people with different values and customs

• reflectonspiritual,moral,socialand cultural issues, using imagination to understand other people’s experiences.

curriculum Links

KS1 & KS2, English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:

• usecharacter,actionandnarrativeto convey the story, themes and emotions

• recognisethedifferencesbetween author, narrator and character

• identifyhowcharactersandsettings are created, and how plot, narrative structure and themes are developed

• recognisethechoice,useandeffectoffigurative language, vocabulary and patterns of language

• presentdramaandstoriestoothers(forexample, telling a story through tableaux or using a narrator).

hans christian andersen’s

Schools tickets £8

11 FEBRuARY - 9 ApRIl 2011 • MAIN THEATRE • RuNNING TIME TBC

Polka Theatre presents

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.

based on the novel by robert Westalladapted by ali taylor

It’s 1940, and Britain is at war. Young Chas McGill has

the second best collection of war souvenirs in town

but desperately wants it to be the best. One day,

he stumbles across a shot-down German bomber

and snatches the ultimate souvenir to add to his

collection: a machine gun.

MACHINEGUNNERS

THE

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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KS2 & KS3

KS2 & KS3, English & Drama pupils can be encouraged to:

• engagewithachallenginganddemandingsubjectmatter

•makefreshconnectionsbetweenideas,experiences, texts and words, drawing on a rich experience of language and literature

• evaluateideasandthemesthatbroadenperspectives and extend thinking.

KS2 & KS3, PSHE & Citizenship pupils can be encouraged to:

• engagewithandreflectondifferent ideas, opinions, beliefs and values when exploring topical and controversial issues and problems

• realisetheconsequencesofanti-social and aggressive behaviours, such as bullying and racism, on individuals and communities

• thinkaboutthelivesofpeopleliving in other places and times.

curriculum Links

KS2 & KS3, History pupils can be encouraged to:

• studytheimpactoftheSecondWorldWar on the lives of men, women and children from different sections of society

• communicatetheirknowledgeand understanding of history in a variety of ways

• explorethewaysinwhichthepasthas helped shape identities, shared cultures, values and attitudes today.

© C

layton Bastiani/Trevillion Images

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 thatreflectwhatwarmeanstoyou.Yourpostcardswillbe displayed all around the building for everyone to see throughout the run of The Machine Gunners.

TheexhibitionisopentoallYear5-8students, simplyemailjanna@polkatheatre.comfor more information.

Future me project

Polkaisworkingwiththreeschoolsonauniquedramaandmulti-mediaprojectthatwillenablestudentstosend messages to their future selves in 2035. What will they write to themselves in the future? This projectisinspiredbyPolkaandUnlimitedTheatre’sautumn production of Mission to Mars.

The messages created by the students will then form part of an interactive exhibition around Polka.

meet the space scientistsFri 8 Oct (after the 10.30am show)

Come and see Mission to Marsandjoinreallife DrGailIles(onwhomthecharacterGailisbased)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 tocomearmedwithalltheirspacequestionsforanopportunity 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.

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OurNationalCollaborationbetweenYorkTheatre Royal, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Dundee Rep to commission playwrights to writeplaysforYear5and6teachersandtheir 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.

“ Thank you for helping us in our performance. Because of you, every little detail was perfect....

It was amazing watching the audience laugh at our jokes and wonderful to hear the applause at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Darcy(Year5)

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Polka is a great resource for teachers and schools, as well as shows we offer all of this…

Polka’s Workshop Menu

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.

Free Teacher E-Newsletters

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!

Teachers Advisory Panel•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

• 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 canofferaFREEuniquepackagewhich 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 onrequest.

Polka offers a huge array of exciting workshops for both pupils

and teachers. Why not bring the magic of Polka to your school?

• Show-relatedworkshops

• BlackHistoryMonth

• Playinaday

• Puppetry

• Multi-sensory

• Teachertraining

• Tailor-madeINSETsessionsforyoursc

hool

Simply call Sheetal on 020 8545 8349 for

further information or to book any of our

excellent workshops.

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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

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.

Reservations and payments

Chequesarepayableto‘PolkaTheatre’. 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

Risk Assessment

Polka can provide a written risk assessment foryourvisittothetheatreifyourequire it or download this from our website at www.polkatheatre.com

Eating at Polka

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 enquirewiththeBoxOfficewhenbookingyour group’s show tickets.

YoucanalsoarrangeforthePolkaCafé tocaterforyourgroup.Youcanpre-orderpasta, sandwiches, lunchpacks or drinks. Contactthecafétodiscussoptionsortoplaceanorderemailcafe@polkatheatre.comor call 020 8545 8330

box Office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com

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)

Competition Details

The winning stories will be performed on Polka’s stage alongside the lead author’s story in July 2011.

Competition Essentials

•FromthebeginningofJanuary2011visit www.polkatheatre.com for full competition guidelines, how to enter and writing tips to get you started.

•Therearethreecategories: - Years 1 & 2 (storyboard) - Years 3 & 4 (short stories) - Years 5 & 6 (short stories)

•Theclosingdateforentrieswillbethe beginning of April 2011.

GoodLuckandwehopethatthechildren enjoywritingstoriesinspiredbyBrazil!

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Image by Writing the World 2009 Winner, Jessica Taussig

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box Office: 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com17 18

DECEMBER 10

We 1 Snow Queen

Th 2 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 3 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 7 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 8 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Th 9 Snow Queen

Fr 10 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 14 Snow Queen 11.00

We 15 Snow Queen 11.00 Lost & Found 11.05/2.35

Th 16 Snow Queen 11.00/2.30 Lost & Found 11.05/2.35

Fr 17 Snow Queen 11.00 Lost & Found 11.05/2.35

OCTOBER 10

Fr 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

We 13 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35 /2.05

Th 14 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05 Frank Cottrell Boyce 1.30

Fr 15 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 19 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 20 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 12.35/12.15/2.05

Th 21 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 22 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

JANUARY 11

We 5 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Th 6 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 7 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 12 Snow Queen

Th 13 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 14 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 19 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Th 20 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 21 Snow Queen

Tu 25 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/12.15/2.05

We 26 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Th 27 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 28 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

NOVEMBER 10

Tu 2 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 3 Mission to Mars

Th 4 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 5 Mission to Mars Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 9 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 Snow Queen

Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Th 25 Snow Queen

Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 26 Snow Queen

Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 30 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

FEBRUARY 11

Tu 1 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 2 Snow Queen

Th 3 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 4 Snow Queen Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 8 Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

We 9 Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Fr 11 Machine Gunners Lost & Found 10.35/2.05

Tu 15 Machine Gunners

We 16 Machine Gunners

Th 17 Machine Gunners

Fr 18 Machine Gunners

MARCH 11

Tu 1 Machine Gunners

We 2 Machine Gunners

Th 3 Machine Gunners

Fr 4 Machine Gunners

Tu 8 Machine Gunners

We 9 Machine Gunners

Th 10 Machine Gunners

Fr 11 Machine Gunners

Tu 15 Machine Gunners

We 16 Machine Gunners

Th 17 Machine Gunners

Fr 18 Machine Gunners

Tu 22 Machine Gunners

We 23 Machine Gunners

Th 24 Machine Gunners

Fr 25 Machine Gunners

Tu 29 Machine Gunners

We 30 Machine Gunners

Th 31 Machine Gunners

APRiL 11

Fr 1 Machine Gunners

Tu 5 Machine Gunners

We 6 Machine Gunners

Th 7 Machine Gunners

Fr 8 Machine Gunners

Additional Copies of the Schools Brochure

Ifyourschoolrequiresmore copies of the schools brochure or the family brochure then please email samantha@polkatheatre.comor 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.

Main Theatre shows in violetAdventure Theatre shows in pinkReduced-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.