Polka Theatre to open pop-up in Wimbledon shopping centre

Children’s company Polka Theatre is launching a pop-up venue at a shopping centre in Wimbledon this summer.

The temporary space in Centre Court Shopping Centre will host a reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood called Maanika and the Wolf.

Aimed at three to six-year-olds, the production will run from July 29 to August 29. Press night will take place on August 7.

Maanika and the Wolf is written and directed by Polka Theatre artistic director Peter Glanville, with compositions by Arun Ghosh, design by Sophia Lovell Smith and dramaturgy by Sudha Bhuchar.

Polka Theatre’s building in Wimbledon is set to reopen its doors this summer following an £8.5 million refurbishment.

Glanville said: “Prior to our reopening season at Polka Theatre this autumn, following a major £8.5 million redevelopment, Polka is 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."