Polka’s Community Team invite you to join us for a fun, interactive day at Deen City Farm, inspired by Polka’s Spring production, Chicken Licken!
Visit the farm and take part in free creative workshops on Saturday 5 April. There will be lots of activities to take part in including creating an animal puppet, sensory storytelling sessions and a farm trail where you can discover more about all the animals. You could even try a new skill called water felting where you will work with an artist, to create a colourful piece of art with your family and friends inspired by the farm.
The Community Day will run in two sessions, from 11am – 1pm and from 2pm – 4pm.
Entry is free but prior booking to this event is essential. Tickets for this event are currently SOLD OUT.
We are proud to be a community hub for Merton. A place where children can connect with their family, peers and the wider world around them. Polka provides an inclusive place to create, share your voice and enjoy activities close to home.
Members of our diverse local community are invited to participate and experience live theatre, through creative projects, both on and off site, and our Polka Invites membership scheme that enable access to new audiences. Polka’s workshops, including storytelling sessions, puppet making and devised plays, are delivered in a variety of settings including Children’s Centres, libraries, community centres, church halls and temporary accommodation for families.
If you would like your community organisation to get involved or would like information about how to refer a family onto Polka Invites, please contact our Community team by 📧 email
Upcoming Events
Puppet Making with Polka Theatre at Sutton Central Library
Join in a creative puppet making workshop based on the story of Chicken Licken.
- Tuesday 8 April at 10.30am
- For ages 5 – 7
- Book tickets here.
Drama Workshop with Polka Theatre at Sutton Central Library
Take part in a dynamic, creative drama workshop based on the play Sisters 360.
- Tuesday 8 April at 1.30pm
- For ages 7 – 11
- Book tickets here
Community in the Clore
Every Thursday morning between 11am and 12pm, our Clore Learning Studio is available for free use.
You could host a Stay and Play, training or guest speaker event. Please contact Fran to discuss the needs of your group.
Community Workshops
Looking for a Community workshop to inspire and engage your group of children and young people? Whether that’s at your Community venue or at Polka Theatre, our expert team of actors, directors, storytellers and puppeteers can create a tailor-made workshop just for you.
We work with a wide range of organisations delivering workshops locally and across London. These organisations include but are not limited to Merton Children’s Centres, Merton and Wandsworth Sensory Support Services, Commonside Community Development Trust, with families living in temporary accommodation, HAF groups, local library services in Merton and Sutton and The British Library.
We can work with groups of up to 30 participants per workshop and will work with you to support the group’s needs as appropriate.
If you would like to book a community workshop, or if you have any further questions and would like to discuss the needs of your group, please contact our community team using the button below.
‘I loved it. It was very fun and interactive!’– Workshop participant
‘Today was just lovely. The children and parents had a fantastic time. It was magical!’– Community Co-ordinator
Community Projects
‘Tidy’ Community Project
On Saturday 16 March we held a community day in Wandle Park, Colliers Wood inspired by our Spring 2024 production Tidy. With local artist Tim Norris, a willow sculpture was made of Tidy’s lead character, Pete the Badger, which families were invited to help weave. As well as this, free activities such as pebble painting, mask making, litter picking and an eco-tail were offered. A special thank you to Groundwork London, who where able to offer a bat box building workshop at the event. Approximately 600 people took part in various aspect of the event across the day.
“Nothing other than amazing. Perfect for the family. The children enjoyed it so much and so nice to include nature. The activities were plenty and for all ages too. We still have our rocks displayed in the garden. The staff were friendly and worked incredibly hard for us to enjoy, so thank you from us.”
‘Let’s Build!’ Community project
In March 2023 children from Abbey Pre-School, South Wimbledon, and Acacia Pre-School, Mitcham, took part in Polka’s community project, inspired by ‘Let’s Build!’ You can read all about the community project here.
‘The workshop was very interactive. My son enjoyed himself. He was able to be his confident self.’– Parent