Its advisable to arrive early at the Polka Theatre when visiting with playful children – after a half-term visit to see Well Done, Mummy Penguin this is my third trip to Wimbledon’s children theatre but the first one of today’s 8 year old co-reviewer. And so I have only found out today that the venue has a second patio garden with a multistorey climbing house.
And that older children decorate the sky of the magnetic art wall rather than the bottom of the vertical surface, and that the soap in the bathroom smells excitingly of strawberries. Let’s see what is waiting for us next time – we are now rushing upstairs to our seats with only a quick glance at the Polka’s iconic display cabinet!
The Firework Maker’s Daughter is based on a 1995 novella by Philip Pullman who gained global fame from His Dark Materials books but in my circles more of his retellings of the Brothers Grimm (which were beautifully dramatized in an immersive theatre production in the grounds around OXO Tower ten or so years ago). Admittedly, neither of us has read any of his works in full but with firework season just behind us, this two act play aimed at children between 6 and 12 years old appears to be a wonderful conclusion and celebration of the wonders of illumination before the Christmas lights begin. Of course, there are on already in the highstreets of Wimbledon and everywhere else but thankfully the Polka Theatre does not have the urge yet to put up trees and tinsel.
Because the Polka truly embraces its key audience, the show starts with a bit of a delayed until everyone has found their seats and sat down. We are well-entertained until then, happily singing along Katy Perry – other than a terrible shanty attempt by some wannabe pirates, no songs feature in the play. And then the show starts with beautiful puppetry, sizzling lights and foley sounds in a warming, safe darkness before moving to Lila and her father’s firework creation kitchen where they talk shop about the techniques and magic of envisioning and igniting mind-blowing fireworks. Lila wants to become a firework maker just like her dad and is even more dedicated when his unwise choice of words claim that this will not be an option for her, ever: To prove herself, Lila sets out on a quest through jungles, rivers and stormy ascends, not aware that she is followed by a friend and his talking elephant who is desperately trying to catch-up to help her.
The scene in the volcano with threatening mountain spirits is one for cuddling up close with those theatre visitors sleeping with the lights on all night, but this sinister part is quickly forgotten in the finale when a very funny firework competition (of life and death, mind you) with strong and hilarious contestants from Germany and America try to prove themselves measured on a clap-o-meter. Amazingly, not a singly pyro is in use for this high profile entertainment, just purest stage magic. We are not giving away who wins but of course, there is a happy end. We absolutely agree we really, really like this play!
***** out of 5 stars
The Firework Maker’s Daughter based on the book by Philip Pullman has been adapted for the stage by Jude Christian and directed by Lee Lyford
Running at the Polka Theatre until 18 January 2026, tickets from £10
Sadie takes the Stage 