Olivier award nominated duo, Daniel Clarkson and Richard Hurst will bring their brand-new fairy tale adventure The Pirate, The Princess, and The Platypus, to Polka Theatre from the 18 June – 20 August.
Once upon a time, there was a pirate who wanted to be a princess, a princess who wanted to be a pirate and a platypus who was happy being exactly themselves!
Join us this summer for a brand-new comic fairy-tale adventure for children and their grown-ups, about choosing your destiny, discovering your identity, and finding your friends. Let us take you to a magical musical world of pirate kings, queens, frogs, tall towers and shipwrecks of French fancies and barrels of grog!
See our heroes strike out across the high seas but be back to the palace in time for high tea!
While the team prepare we’ve spoken with Josephine Starte to discuss the piece, and the importance of introducing audiences to the magic of the theatre from a young age.
What can audiences expect to see from The Pirate, The Princess, and The Platypus?
Worms, a colourful inventive silly story. Told with lots of jokes, laugher and love.
Can you tell us a little about the role you play within the show?
I play the Platypus who is sort of a narrator in the piece but also is friend to both the Pirate and The Princess, helping them on their way to self-discovery.
Polka Theatre is known to be one of the industry leaders when it comes to family friendly theatre. Why do you think it is so important for audiences to be introduced to the wonders of the theatre from an early age?
I think theatre comes very naturally to children because it is related to play. We can learn so much from children, they so good at using their imagination. The Polka theatre encourages this, it is a safe space for kids to be curious, explore, and trust their imagination.
Can you remember the your first trip to the theatre?
Yes, it was going to see Jack and Bean Stalk with my Grandma! One of the cows’ udders squirted into the audience – a bit of a shock, but a good memory!
What would you say to a parent or guardian who was unsure whether to purchase tickets for The Pirate, The Princess, and The Platypus?
It’s a warm, funny play and there’s nothing to fear in it. Just a lot of fun to be enjoyed by all. Parents or guardians should enjoy watching it just as much as children.
How does it feel performing to young audiences and knowing you could be influencing the next generation of theatre creators?
It feels amazing, you never know what might spark someone to start a career in theatre, but that is what is so lovely about working with children you could be there at that moment but not even know it.
Looking forward, what would you say are hopes for the future of the arts industry as a whole?
One thing that I hope is that theatres can continue to take risks on new pieces of work, and the creatives that make it happen. We want to grow the sector rather than keep it as a museum.
The Pirate, The Princess, and The Platypus, being staged at Polka Theatre from the 18 June – 20 August. For more information click here.
Image credit Steve Gregson
CentreStage 