"The show weaves a kind of magic and keeps any viewer’s senses stimulated… Created with an inspired vision."
The Stage
"This joyous production is a feast for the senses from the very start."
Everything Theatre
Travel to Kenya and follow in Handa’s footsteps as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo, in the next village. Handa is taking seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas… could you resist the sweet-smelling guava? How about a ripe red mango or a tangy purple passion fruit?
A blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music and song combine to create an intimate, magical production with audience participation. Come and share in the magical tangerine surprise!
Handa’s Surprise is aimed at ages 2 - 5. The small audience sit on cushions and mats around the stage for an intimate experience, and there is a chance to join in the dancing at the end.
This play is based on the original book Handa’s Surprise, written and illustrated by Eileen Browne. Published by Walker Books Ltd.
Performances Duration Age Recommendation |
Access Performances |
Ticket Pricing
Ticket Prices* Group Offers** |
Schools |
Please note: All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or young person aged 16 years or over.
Multi-buy offer available! Purchase tickets to any of the applicable shows at the same time and receive 5% off for 2 shows, 10% off for 3 shows or 15% off for 4 or more shows!**
Access tickets
Access tickets can be booked over the phone or via email for all performances. If you want to find out more or inform us of any particular needs, then just get in touch. We’re happy to help. For all access performances information, click here.
📞 020 8543 4888 | 📧 [email protected]
Age Recommendation - 2 - 5 years
Polka Theatre creates a range of productions to be enjoyed by children from 0-12 years. Whilst all children may attend our productions, we feel that this story is best suited to the suggested audience. This may be due to the themes or presentation style. We encourage you to consider this when booking tickets. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or young person aged 16 years or over.
This show takes place in the Adventure Theatre.
The Adventure Theatre is a mix of unreserved bench and floor seating, where children are highly encouraged to sit on the floor to be closer to the action. If you have any questions please contact the box office using the details below.
Creative Team
Adapted from the book by Eileen Browne
Original adaptation and production of Handa’s Surprise conceived and created by Slavka Jovanovic and Marleen Vermuelen
Designed by Sophia Lovell Smith
Puppet design by Peter O'Rourke
A Little Angel Theatre production
*£2.50 transaction fee applies to phone and online bookings. T&Cs apply.
** Group offers valid on Band A and Band B seats only and not applicable during preview performances. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. We reserve the right to remove any discounts.
📷 Ellie Kurttz
Tickets from
+ £2.50 fee*
- Age range 2-5 yrs
- 22nd May - 23rd Jun
- Start time Varied
- Duration 35 mins
- Location Polka's Adventure Theatre
Additional Events
BSL interpreted
- Date 09/06/2024
- Time 2:00 pm
Relaxed
- Date 16/06/2024
- Time 10:00 am
Schools Relaxed
- Date 20/06/2024
- Time 1:00 pm
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