Two productions aimed at tots to under-9s
Two productions from one of Italy's leading children's theatre companies are coming to Wimbledon's Polka Theatre during May Half Term as part of European initiative, 'Small Size'.
The Cosmic Dancer is created for ages 4 – 8 and Casa…Home is for ages 2 – 4. They will both run as part of a weeklong residency from Wednesday 27 – Sunday May 31.
Based on Linda Ferri's poetic illustrated book of the same name, The Cosmic Dancer combines ballet and digital projection to stunning effect, set to a soundtrack of composer Claude Debussy’s exquisite music. It will run in Polka's Main Theatre.
'Pepita wants to be a dancer. More than that, she wants to become a Cosmic Dancer, to swing from a star and be lifted by the clouds. But that's not as easy as she thought, the stars are far away and the clouds slip through her fingers.'
Performed in the Adventure Theatre, Casa…Home is a warm and tender play about building relationships, following the story of a grown-up and child who meet, play and build. Throughout the show they work together, eventually building stories, structures and a house. Using contemporary design, the play is performed with endearing emotional and physical beauty.
'Casa. Home. A place where I am just who I am. A home in which to shelter, eat, have a bath, sleep. A place in which to live and share experiences. To welcome others. A home to explore, a place that changes as I change; to leave and discover everything outside it, and to go back to, every time.'
Based in Bologna, La Baracca have been dedicated to producing children's theatre since 1979, producing 23 shows for ages 0-3 and 65 for children from 3 to 6 years. They have developed a poetic style aimed at generating amazement.
The Cosmic Dancer and Casa…Home are taking up a weeklong residency at Polka as part of 'Small Size', a European Network that aims to share expertise and knowledge and to develop collaborative projects and research within performing arts for ages 0 - 6.
Through collaborative projects, exchange and research, Small Size works to promote awareness of the significance and importance of performing arts for young people. Polka has worked with Small Size 2006. In addition, a special private performance of The Cosmic Dancer will take place at Polka on Sunday 31 May, 2pm in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute. For this performance, the show will be performed entirely in Italian, and families of Italian origin will be invited to join.
Jo Belloli, Early Years Producer at Polka, said: "La Baracca have been coming to Polka over the last ten years – we’ve had five other shows of theirs, and the actors are certainly no strangers to Polka. Now, with even more of the company coming over, it's a real pleasure to have them back. When I saw the shows in Bologna, I knew immediately that I really wanted our audiences at Polka to have the chance to see this!”
LISTINGS INFORMATION
The Cosmic Dancer
Wed 27 – Sun 31 May
Main Theatre
Ages 4 - 8
Tickets £13.50 | concessions £10 (£1.50 transaction charge per booking)
Main Theatre
Two performances daily, times vary
For performance times and to book visit www.polkatheatre.com or call the Box Office on 020 8543 4888
Casa…Home
Wed 27 – Sun 31 May
Adventure Theatre
Ages 2 - 4
Two performances daily, times vary. For performance times and to book visit www.polkatheatre.com or call the Box Office on 020 8543 4888
May 10, 2015