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Lenny Henry’s book takes to the stage at south London theatre

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The Polka Theatre’s summer 2025 season will feature the world premiere of The Boy With Wings, a stage adaptation of Lenny Henry’s best-selling children’s book.

Stage struck: comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry is about to have his first book adapted for the theatre

A co-production with Birmingham Rep, The Boy With Wings has been written for the stage by Arvind Ethan David and is to be directed by the Bush Theatre’s associate artistic director, Daniel Bailey.

“Wow! I am absolutely chuffed to little meatballs to have my first ever children’s book The Boy With Wings adapted by Polka Theatre and Birmingham Rep,” Sir Lenny said.

“What an honour! It’s going to be a brilliant show with diverse talent on and offstage. I can’t wait to see the magic of Arvind Ethan David’s adaption and the visionary direction of Daniel Bailey brought to glorious life on these amazing stages.

“A boy. With wings. Live on stage! It’s gonna be epic!”

Anyone who has read the book will know that The Boy With Wings is the story of Tunde, who sprouts wings and learns that his father is a ferocious alien warrior.

Tunde is all that stands between the galaxy and total destruction. Luckily, his rag-tag group of pals have got his back, and with his new powers, Tunde is ready to fly in the face of danger – this is his destiny…

Tickets are on sale now for a production which will run in the Main Theatre at The Polka Theatre, Wimbledon Broadway, from Saturday, June 21 to Saturday, August 16, 2025, before transferring to Birmingham Rep. THe production is recommended for those aged seven to 12 years.

Polka’s artistic director Helen Matravers said, “I am so delighted Polka is able to present the first stage adaptation of a Lenny Henry children’s book.

“It is a rollercoaster of a wonderful adventure which will fill the Polka stage with action, music and an out-of-this-world take on Lenny’s story. Sharing in Lenny’s sentiments around writing the book, it is vital that all children see themselves represented on stage, and to celebrate the diversity of the world we live in.

“Working with Daniel Bailey, Arvind Ethan David and Birmingham Rep to bring this story to life is such an exciting collaboration, and we can’t wait to share it with young audiences.”

Other shows now on sale in Polka’s Adventure Theatre for 2025 include Whipped Up!, a comedy play following Dottie, an eager-to-please 50s-style diner server on their first day on the job – where the baby is the customer, and caregivers are along for the ride. Written and conceived by Jill Rogati, Watford Palace Theatre’s production is recommended for ages two months to two years, featuring sensory interactive play throughout the show as the server waits on their “demanding” clientele.

The show will run from Wednesday February 12 to Sunday February 16, 2025.

Cardboard Adventure’s Boxville is an interactive adventure where the audience can craft-a-long with the story and take home any creations at the end! Designer Sam Wilde and Director Ian Nicholson use their carboard puppet style to create a sustainable hands-on adventure featuring paper dragons, corrugated crabs and cardboard space robots.

Recommended for six to 10 years olds, Boxville will run from Wednesday February 19 to Sunday February 23, 2025.

Nigerian company Kininso Koncepts brings Sandscape, a rhythmic, musical and wordless play recommended for ages two to seven years to Polka from Friday February 28 to Sunday March 2, 2025. Conceptualised with support by the Goethe-Institut, Sandscape immerses the audience into a playful world, exploring the texture and ever-changing view of sand.

And from Thursday March 6 to Sunday March 9, 2025, Polka welcomes the award-winning Chiffonnade, “an emotive dance piece as colourful as life itself”, the theatre’s producers say. “Follow the dancer as they tentatively explore the big wide world, grow, blossom and eventually find their freedom.”

Co-produced by Teatro 4Garoupas and Carré Blanc Cie and choreographed by Michèle Dhallu, Chiffonnade is aimed at five to 10-year-olds.

Polka Theatre is one of just a handful of dedicated children’s threatres in the country, presenting a year-round programme of shows produced by Polka and visiting companies. Polka also offers a full programme of creative learning activities, with more than 21,000 children taking part in the last year. Polka enjoys flexible rehearsal and workshop spaces along with two performance spaces: the Main Theatre has a 300-seat capacity and the Adventure Theatre can seat up to 90 depending on the show format.

Polka is open six days per week, 50 weeks per year at a challenging time with step-free access, free-to-access play spaces and a cosy and welcoming café and shop.

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