Penguins, albatrosses and creatures from beneath the ice are heading to Wimbledon this winter as Little Bulb brings Antarctica back to Polka Theatre. The 50-minute show uses puppets and clowning to take children aged three to seven on an imaginary expedition to the South Pole.
Little Bulb wrote and devised the production, originally made with Bristol Old Vic. Alexander Scott directs, with design by Verity Sadler and lighting by Joshua Pharo. The show takes place in Polka’s Adventure Theatre, alongside the venue’s Christmas programme for older children in the Y C Chan Theatre.
Antarctica at a glance
Where Adventure Theatre at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon.
When 27 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The opening Friday is listed for schools, with public performances from Saturday 28 November.
Tickets Adults and children from £18, concessions from £16, with a £2.50 fee per order online or by phone. Check current availability and book through Polka Theatre.
Access performances and visiting with children
Polka lists a relaxed performance at 10.30am on Sunday 29 November and a British Sign Language-interpreted show at 2pm on Sunday 13 December. Check the venue’s calendar for availability. The theatre offers reduced-rate access tickets and a free companion ticket. Children under 16 must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over, and babies under 12 months can attend with a £1 babe-in-arms ticket.
Cast and creative team
Grace Venus, Joe Boylan and Judy Barrington-Smuts are the announced cast. Alexander Scott directs the piece, devised by Little Bulb, with Verity Sadler’s design and lighting by Joshua Pharo. The Adventure Theatre staging introduces the animals through puppetry and physical comedy.
Performance dates and times
Times are local. Check the venue’s booking page for availability and changes before travelling.
The venue advertises the run from Friday 27 November. That day is listed for schools, so the table starts with the first public shows on Saturday 28 November. The published public access programme includes the relaxed show on 29 November and BSL interpretation on 13 December.
| Performance date | Start times |
|---|---|
| Saturday 28 November | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Sunday 29 November | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday 2 December | 10:45 AM / 1:30 PM |
| Thursday 3 December | 10:45 AM / 1:30 PM |
| Friday 4 December | 10:45 AM |
| Saturday 5 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Sunday 6 December | 10:30 AM |
| Thursday 10 December | 1:30 PM |
| Saturday 12 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Sunday 13 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday 16 December | 10:45 AM |
| Thursday 17 December | 1:30 PM |
| Friday 18 December | 10:45 AM / 1:30 PM |
| Saturday 19 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Sunday 20 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Tuesday 22 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday 23 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Thursday 24 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Sunday 27 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Monday 28 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Tuesday 29 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday 30 December | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Saturday 2 January | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Sunday 3 January | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Saturday 9 January | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Sunday 10 January | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Saturday 16 January | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
| Sunday 17 January | 10:30 AM / 2:00 PM |
Getting there and access
Polka Theatre is at 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB. Wimbledon station serves rail, District line and tram passengers. South Wimbledon on the Northern line is also within walking distance. The 57, 93, 131 and 219 buses stop outside at Polka Theatre.
Polka publishes a venue access guide and offers reduced-rate access tickets and a free companion ticket for eligible bookings. Call 020 8543 4888 for seating advice. See directions and drop-off information.
