Theatre News

Polka Theatre’s Jonathan Lloyd steps down to join Pegasus in Oxford

Polka Theatre artistic director Jonathan Lloyd is stepping down after seven years with the venue to become artistic director and chief executive of the Pegasus Theatre in Oxford.

The Polka, which is situated in Wimbledon, produces shows for children under 14. According to a press statement, “The past seven years have seen Polka enjoy wide-ranging artistic success
in a child-centred, playful building that is busier than ever.”

Stephen Midlane, executive director of the venue, said: “We will all be very sad to see Jonathan go but wish him the greatest
success at Pegasus. He has made a fantastic contribution to Polka,
producing an impressive body of work that has successfully balanced
hugely popular theatre productions alongside groundbreaking community
projects that have engaged with a broad spectrum of children and
families.”

Lloyd, who previously worked as an associate director at Soho Theatre, responded: “I’m fiercely proud of all we’ve achieved at Polka over the past seven
years, and will be very sad to leave. Polka is a rare and special place,
a theatre dedicated to creating world-class work for children; there’s a
fantastic team here and a vocal, supportive, demanding, passionate
audience who have made my time here so enjoyable and fulfilling.”

The Polka’s Board of Trustees hopes to appoint a successor by the end of summer.