Polka Theatre

Polka Theatre’s Christmas show for little ones is, intriguingly, a dance theatre adaptation of Ezra Jack Keats’s picture book about New York City on… a snowy day. A co-production between Polka and kids’ company Can’t Sit Still, the movement-based show contains limited dialogue and is aimed at real little ones ages one to four.

While it can feel like around three-quarters of the shows on in London over the Christmas period are productions of the ballet The Nutcracker, the big Christmas show from Polka Theatre is something a little different, being a new non-dance version of the classic seasonal fairy story from leftfield theatre stalwarts Little Bulb, last seen on stage at the Royal Opera House with their folk opera Wolf Witch Giant Fairy. After receiving a mysterious nutchracker toy from their aunt, siblings Clara and Fritz are sucked into a world of mild peril where they must do battle with the many-headed mouse king. For ages five to 12.

Reuniting cardboard-based kids theatre makers Sam Wilde and Ian Nicholson – after their sublime I Want My Hat Back trilogy – Boxville sees the duo collaborate with their young audience, who will help them build the titular land as the show wears on. We’re promised ‘paper dragons, corrugated crabs and cardboard space robots’. Having previously made an edition for younger children, this one in aimed at ages six to ten.