Polka To Hold Pop-up Theatre in Centre Court Shopping Centre
Maanika and The Wolf is a retelling of a classic fairy tale
May 18, 2021
This summer will see the launch of a pop-up theatre space in the Centre Court Shopping Centre presented by the Polka Theatre.
From Thursday 29 July to Sunday 29 August there will be performances of family show Maanika and The Wolf which is an adaptation of the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
Created and directed by Polka’s own Artistic Director Peter Glanville, it is aimed at 3-6 year olds.
Maanika and The Wolf blends the past and the present, the real and the imagined, as a grandmother returns to her childhood bedroom recalling stories from when she was a young girl. Talking to her granddaughter over Zoom, she brings her Indian dressing-up box back to life and re-enacts her own version of Little Red Riding Hood. But why is there another wolf on the phone and why does her granddaughter Ruby keep trying to change the story?
The pop-up space transforms from Maanika’s house to the grandmother’s cottage and even into the wolf’s lair in the woods. The piece is accompanied by newly composed music from British-Asian musician Arun Ghosh that reflects the overall cultural fusion. Designer Sophia Lovell Smith has used evocative fabrics and toys to bring to life the cultural heritage of the toy box and Maanika’s parents’ Indian upbringing. Additional dramaturgical support is from Sudha Bhuchar, co-founder of Tamasha Theatre Company.
Peter Glanville says, “Prior to our re-opening season at Polka Theatre this autumn, following a major £8.5m redevelopment, Polka are delighted to be premiering Maanika and The Wolf at Centre Court Shopping Centre in Wimbledon . This is an exciting new venture for us - creating a pop-up theatre in the heart of the community, for our local audiences to enjoy.”
Polka temporarily closed for a major redevelopment in February 2019 and plans will soon be announced about its full reopening. In the meantime, Polka continues to offer activities to schools, community groups and the public, working with over 21,600 people last year. Polka is helping to keep children creative during lockdown, with a range of live, recorded and downloadable activities for children.
Tickets for Maanika and The Wolf are priced at £14 (£12 concessions) + £1.50 transaction fee from www.polkatheatre.com.
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