Little Angel's Peter Glanville appointed artistic director of Polka Theatre

The Polka Theatre in Wimbledon has appointed Peter Glanville as its new artistic director.

Glanville, who is currently artistic director and chief executive of the Little Angel puppet theatre in Islington, replaces Jonathan Lloyd at the leading children's venue.

He joins at a challenging time for the Polka, which is one of a number of venues currently facing funding cuts.

Sarah King, chair of Polka's Board, said: "This is a pivotal time for Polka as the company is faced with some very exciting opportunities as well as a number of significant challenges. In Peter we feel we have found someone with the necessary vision and experience to ensure we turn our ambitions into reality."

Glanville's directing credits at the Little Angel include Carol Ann Duffy's The Tear Thief, Michael Rosen's We're Going on a Bear Hunt as well as the early years opera Skitterbang Island (co-produced with Polka) and The Tempest (co-produced with the RSC).

He said of his new job, which starts in November: "I feel very privileged to have been offered the position of artistic director at Polka Theatre. The company has a great history and I'm looking forward to the prospect of continuing to raise its profile in the future with ground-breaking world-class theatre for children."