In 2019, Polka celebrated its 40th anniversary
In celebration of this milestone, we launched Polka40, a programme of activities across the Borough of Merton to celebrate our rich and varied past.
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a wide variety of other funders, it explored and shared Polka’s archive material and its significant contribution to children’s theatre over 40 years. The project resulted in:
- A child-centric exhibition which toured August 2019 – March 2020 to Morden Hall Park and then four Merton libraries, reaching 5,974 visitors
- A book highlighting the theatre’s history
- A display in Polka’s main stairwell
- An archive of oral histories shared in the exhibition and hosted on the Polka website
- An extensive performance project working with 14 local primary schools and four SEND schools
- Establishment of four intergenerational community choirs, culminating in Re:Sound community choir which continued until 2022
Oral Histories
Annie James
Annie first started working at Polka in 1990, becoming Wardrobe Manager. She worked with Polka until 2026.
Daryl Beeton
Daryl is a theatre maker, performer, director and actor, and was Associate Artist at Polka in the early 2000s.
Dave Benson-Phillips
Dave is an actor, children’s entertainer, performer and broadcaster. He talks about when he worked at Polka in his early career.
David Wood
David was a founding Board member for Polka, and a Polka Patron. He is a writer and director.
Despo Stevens
Despo is a former Headteacher at Bond Primary School in Mitcham, and a former
Polka Trustee.
Emma Delgado
Emma is an audience member who frequently attended the theatre with her son.
Fran Chabrel
Fran first started working at Polka in 2005, first as Education Officer and later becoming Community Engagement Manager. She worked at Polka until 2025.
Jo Belloli
Jo worked with Polka for many years, first front of house, then as Education Officer, then becoming the first Associate Producer for Early Years.
Neil Brand
Neil worked as worked with Polka on various productions as a Musical Director, Composer, Actor and Musician from 1978.
Nick George
Nick worked with Polka in various roles from 1982, particularly in production and stage management.
Nick Graham
Nick was Stage Manager at Polka for 18 years through to 2019.
Peter Glanville and Lynette Shanbury
Peter was the Artistic Director/Joint CEO of Polka Theatre from 2013 – 2023. Lynette is the Executive Director/Joint CEO of Polka Theatre, she joined the theatre in 2018.
Phil Yarrow
Phil is an Actor who has performed in many Polka shows since 2000.
Richard Gill
Richard is the co-founder of Polka Theatre, which was initially established as a touring company, before opening the Wimbledon venue in 1979.
Roman Stefanski
Roman is a Director, Performer, Associate Director of Polka.
Sarah Argent
Sarah Argent is the Writer and Director specialising in Early Years work, including productions for Polka such as Grandad, Me and Teddy Too and Shake, Rattle and Roll.
Sarah King
Sarah was Chair of Trustees from 2012 to 2022, which included leading Polka through its major capital redevelopment period.
Stephen Midlane
Stephen joined Polka in 1977 and continued as Executive Director through to 2018.
Vicky Ireland
Vicky was Polka’s second Artistic Director, from 1988 to 2002.
Find out more
Explore our past production archive and for a historic list of Polka-produced productions since 2021.
