Polka Theatre appoints Helen Matravers as artistic director

London-based Polka Theatre has announced that Helen Matravers is to replace Peter Glanville as artistic director and joint executive.  

Matravers is a creative producer with over 12 years’ experience, having working across new writing, devised and commercial theatre. She has previously worked as a producer at New Diorama Theatre, where she championed artist development and ran the emerging ensemble programme, and its community programme which founded Camden Young Theatre.  

Later in her career at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Matravers worked as a producer, programming and working on its Little Lyric programme. She was also LAMDA’s first ever creative producer, introducing producing and a creative practice for students at the school, alongside programming its graduate performances.  

'Polka has an incredible history and reputation for inspiring generations of theatre lovers and entertaining young audiences with magical performances,’ says Matravers on the appointment. ‘I look forward to continuing and expanding this essential work and meeting with the theatre voices and makers of the future. 

She continues: ‘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.’ 

In the role, Matravers will be working alongside executive director and joint chief executive, Lynette Shanbury, who says: ‘I am absolutely delighted to see Helen step into the role of artistic director. Her inspiring influence on Polka since she joined last year has already been vast, and now she will have the opportunity to make the exciting and bold creative decisions that are imperative for Polka to thrive and be a leading light in the children’s theatre sector.’ 

Polkatheatre.com