Wimbledon-based children’s theatre company Polka Theatre has announced HELEN MATRAVERS as its new Artistic Director and joint CEO.
Matravers first joined Polka Theatre as Senior Producer last June and will take up her new post later this month. She will succeed PETER GLANVILLE, who co-led the company for nine years.
Originally training as an actor, Matravers moved into creative producing and theatre programming after being asked to run the Drayton Arms Theatre.
She has since stood as Producer for the New Diorama Theatre, the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Creative Producer for LAMDA.
On her promotion, Matravers said: “I feel exceptionally privileged to be Polka Theatre's new Artistic Director. Polka has an incredible history and reputation for inspiring generations of theatre lovers, and entertaining young audiences with magical performances.
"It is imperative that all children have access to art, and Polka’s commitment to this is unwavering. Bold decision making, access and inclusion are at the heart of everything Polka does. I am dedicated to programming and commissioning work to ensure that every child sees themselves represented on stage and within the creative teams making theatre here."
Polka Theatre’s Chair DOMINIC PROCTOR commented: “Polka has a deserved reputation for creative innovation on its stages, in artist development and in creative learning programming. This is at the core of our ambition, and I know that Helen and [Executive Director and Joint CEO] Lynette Shanbury will drive that mission!”