Peter Glanville will replace Jonathan Lloyd.
A popular children’s theatre in Wimbledon has appointed a new artistic director who hopes to bring more world-class performances to the stage.
Peter Glanville will replace Jonathan Lloyd as Artistic Director of the Polka Theatre on Wimbledon Broadway.
Currently Artistic Director/Chief Executive at Little Angel Theatre, in Islington, Peter will start his new role in November.
“I feel very privileged to have been offered the position of Artistic Director at Polka Theatre,” he said.
“The company has a great history and I’m looking forward to the prospect of continuing to raise its profile in the future with ground-breaking world-class theatre for children.”
At Little Angel Theatre Peter directed numerous critically acclaimed productions for children including Carol Ann Duffy’s The Tear Thief (in association with the Royal Exchange, narrated by Juliet Stevenson) and Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt as well as the early years opera Skitterbang Island (co-produced with Polka) and The Tempest (co-produced with the RSC).
He has also directed over 40 productions and installations for Kazzum, a company he founded in 1989. Peter is also founder and festival director of SUSPENSE: London Puppetry Festival (produced by Little Angel Theatre) and runs the Actors Company at artsdepot.
Peter is joining Polka at an exciting yet challenging time when British children’s theatre is flourishing, with Polka leading the way. However, cuts in arts spending mean there is an increasing need for charities like Polka which focus on children’s creative development.
“This is a pivotal time for Polka as the company is faced with some very exciting opportunities as well as a number of significant challenges,” said Sarah King, Chair of Polka’s Board of Trustees.
“In Peter we feel we have found someone with the necessary vision and experience to ensure we turn our ambitions into reality. We are delighted he will be joining us.”
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