Helen Matravers - Artistic Director, Polka Theatre Interview

It was announced at the beginning of 2023 that Helen Matravers would be the new Artistic Director and Joint CEO at Polka Theatre. Now settled into the role 5 months later after her appointment our writer Jacqueline asked her about the new role and what we can expect from Polka Theatre in 2023 and beyond too!

Firstly, can you please tell us a bit about Polka Theatre?

Polka is the most magical and inspiring theatre in the UK. We are a theatre dedicated to producing work that empowers children, with a core audience reach of 0-12 (but we know families of all ages enjoy the work!).

We are a major producing house, working with some of the UK’s leading creative voices, creating up to 8 productions in-house or as co-productions each year in our 300-seat main house theatre, and our wonderfully malleable studio space for up to 100 audience members. Alongside the many shows on our stages, Polka also has a huge creative learning programme; running weekly workshops, holiday activities and after-school clubs. We have two Youth Theatres, and a Young and Younger Voices advisory scheme – which are integral to our artistic planning and regularly give us feedback on shows, the building and how we’re working.

Our Write Here Write Now, Freefalling and Polka Invites initiatives ensure that the work we create is accessible to children who may otherwise not be able to afford to go to the theatre or who have become disengaged with the arts, and we annually give away 6,000 tickets to schools in Merton and the surrounding boroughs to make sure school children have access to theatre.

The Theatre is 45 years old next year, and recently underwent a major redevelopment, creating an inviting and open space that is meaningfully available to our local communities – people don’t have to buy a ticket to enjoy our play areas and garden.

It’s a constantly busy and incredibly rewarding place to work, and we are lucky to have the most important audiences to create for.

What made you want to work with Polka?

The theatre’s commitment to ensuring access to high-quality, empowering and inspirational theatre for young audiences. We have a duty of care to provide affordable, accessible and excellent work for all children, and I am passionately dedicated to that. It is also my local theatre and many friends spoke for years about their experiences coming to Polka, or bringing their children to Polka which still has an influence on them today, so I was aware of the really special place the theatre holds in the theatre ecology, local community and people’s hearts!

Have you always been involved in children’s theatre?

Not directly, but I have always valued it and seen the incredible impact it can have. Whilst at the Lyric Hammersmith I programmed their Little Lyric work and, although slighter older in age range to Polka, I set up Camden Youth Theatre whilst working at New Diorama, so have always championed theatre being accessible and impactful for younger generations. It is a privilege to be able to work for, and with, children to make sure the theatre and stories they want to see are being told.
How does your new role differ from your previous experiences?

I have worked for over twelve years as a creative director, programmer, producer and Theatre-maker, so I feel like this role encompasses a lot of those elements – with the added bonus of the challenge to lead a brilliant team alongside our Executive Director, Lynette. I fell into producing as a job title quite by accident, and have always considered it a really creative career, so this new position feels like a progression of my work in developing artists, understanding the admin and financial needs of an organisation and finding imaginative ways to further the work and world of Theatre for Young Audiences.

What are your priorities with regards to creating and supporting children’s theatre?

Diversity, inclusion and accessibility are essential. They are the basis of providing an equitable experience for all children, and ensuring that theatre is for everyone. This takes into account the audiences that we are making work for, the stories we are telling, and the artists we are working with. It is also vital that the theatre on stage is exceptionally well made, and therefore the experiences of our audiences are of the highest quality possible. There is an essential balance to strike between the work that is funny and playful, with the need to acknowledge the maturity and astuteness of children and their ability and desire to engage with challenging topics.

What are you most excited about with regards to your new role?

Everything….but most specifically working with amazing artists to discover new stories to tell young audiences. There is nothing more rewarding in this role than seeing a show realized from that initial conversation over a coffee through to turning off the lights after a press performance.

What are your aspirations for your time with Polka theatre?

To firmly place us on the map as the number one destination to see Children’s theatre in the world (we have to aim big!), and the first company any artist thinks of when they want to create something magical. I want Polka to lead the conversation around new work for young audiences, and to secure a future for the theatre as an integral part of the community and theatre ecology for years and years to come.

For you, what is the most important aspect of children’s theatre?

That it speaks directly to that audience, in that moment, and has children at the heart of why it’s being made. It should never be patronising or feel like children are being lectured, and the work shouldn’t be seen as a stepping stone to engaging audiences for adult work in the future, they should be respected as audiences now and given the very best experience, that speaks to their current passions, likes, loves and interests.

As well as working with schools, how else does Polka Theatre reach out to young people?

We have a brilliant and wide-reaching creative learning programme, which ensures that there is activity engaging young people happening all the time. We run holiday workshops, after-school clubs, drop-in sessions and youth theatres. We have really close and meaningful relationships with community partners across Merton and the surrounding boroughs, and through them we receive referrals for our various funded programmes, such as Polka Invites which provides free access to productions and workshops for families.

We are always looking at ways to welcome more people into the building and to our productions. This summer we are throwing open Polka’s doors for a family fun day, packed with free activities and the chance to come in and get to know the Polka team and our lovely spaces.

And our Young and Younger voices panel of advisors are integral to helping us make decisions around shows, what food is in our café, what gifts are in our shops and what activities are on offer all year round.

What advice would you give to somebody who is considering approaching Polka Theatre with the hope of forming a new partnership?

Lead with an understanding of why It’s so important for Children to experience any particular show or project – what that thing is addressing that is unique and meaningful, and how it can inspire, empower or challenge. We have an incredible responsibility to provide the very best work for audiences who may never have experienced theatre before, so any partner or project needs to have that at its heart.

Why not check out what is happening at Polka Theatre by visiting their website?!