A performer in striped sleeves, brown overalls and an aviator cap balances on one leg with arms outstretched on a brightly painted stage, with a bed and another performer behind.

Polka Theatre2022

The Pirate, the Princess and the Platypus

The Production

Polka Theatre’s world-premiere comic fairy-tale adventure for ages 5–12, created by Daniel Clarkson and Richard Hurst, plays with pirate and princess archetypes in a musical world of shipwrecks, towers and high tea. The summer 2022 production ran on Polka Theatre’s Main Stage.

39 photographs in the curated edit

Director: Daniel Clarkson, Richard Hurst
Movement Director: Laura Dredger
Lighting Design: Bethany Gupwell
Set & Costume Design: Jessica Curtis
Sound Design: Sam Clarkson
Commissioned by: Polka Theatre
Photography: Steve Gregson

Three performers stand across a colourful compass-patterned stage, singing or speaking toward the audience in bright theatrical costumes.

A performer in brown overalls, striped sleeves and an aviator cap sits on a white bed holding an ornate red book in a vividly patterned set.

Three performers strike exaggerated poses across a blue-lit, colourful room set, creating a playful sense of movement and suspense.

Three performers in striped sleeves cluster closely in a comic confrontation, with raised hands and animated expressions against a colourful stage backdrop.

A pirate-costumed performer climbs through a red-framed window holding a curved sword, framed by bright blue light and patterned walls.

On a wide, brightly lit stage, one performer arranges items on a picnic blanket while two others stand nearby in colourful costumes.

A performer in a bright dress, red bandana and green sash holds out their hands under blue stage light, with a dark sail-like shape behind.

A pirate-costumed performer balances a book on their head with arms outstretched while another performer sits on a bed raising a curved sword.

Two pirate-costumed performers stand in a moody blue-lit set, one in a red waistcoat looking concerned and one in a black coat with a large fake beard.

A performer in a bright crown and full pink-and-green skirt kneels on a bed, holding up a striped stuffed animal on a colourful bedroom set.

Under deep blue stage lighting, a performer in striped sleeves balances forward on one leg with arms outstretched across a brightly patterned room set.

A performer in a crown, ruff, striped sleeves and vivid green skirt holds a red velvet bag while standing in a colourful room set.

A bearded performer in a pirate costume steps through a red-lit doorway toward another striped-costumed performer beside a small barrel.

Three performers in striped costumes crowd together in blue light, leaning forward with surprised, excited expressions on the bedroom set.

A crowned performer in a large green skirt stands framed by open, bulb-lit doors, holding a small stuffed toy against their chest.

A seated performer in striped trousers shows a small box to another performer crouching close beside them, both focused intently on it.

A performer in a leather flying cap sits on an orange boat-shaped bed beneath a large black skull-and-crossbones sail.

In cool blue light, a performer in a leather flying cap grimaces while holding a basket and inspecting a dark object from it.

A bearded performer in a pirate costume leaps through open doors with arms raised, beside an orange boat-shaped bed on the colourful stage.

A performer in a vivid pink, orange, and green dress with a small crown sits solemnly on a white bed in a brightly patterned bedroom set.

Under deep blue stage lighting, performers stretch large white sheets across a colorful nautical room set with a bed and ship details.

Three performers in striped sleeves and playful costumes grin and gesture around a boat-shaped bed on a brightly colored stage.

A bearded performer in a pirate hat peers wide-eyed through a circular porthole in a patterned wall beside a glowing sconce.

Blue lighting washes the stage as a performer in an aviator-style cap smiles with one arm raised, while two others pose behind a lit doorway.

A performer in brown overalls dances at center stage in front of an orange boat-shaped bed, with two brightly costumed performers gesturing behind.

Two performers in bright dresses and crowns stand close together, one holding a small frog puppet, while another performer crouches in a window behind them.

Three performers in striped tops strike an energetic pose under blue lighting, with the center performer raising both arms high.

A performer in an aviator-style cap and brown overalls holds an open book and speaks or sings beside a black sail on the colorful set.

A bearded performer in a pirate hat stands on a chest and raises a glowing blue sword in a vivid nautical room set.

A smiling performer in a pirate hat, red coat, and striped trousers stands center stage holding a ship's wheel in blue theatrical light.

Three performers in striped costumes gather around a ship-shaped bed with orange side panels on a brightly patterned stage.

A bearded performer in a black pirate coat leans closely toward a seated performer in striped trousers, holding a small mug beside a wheeled bed.

A performer in pirate costume balances on a chair with one leg raised while another performer in a brown costume crouches underneath, creating a comic stage moment.

A performer in a striped shirt and brown costume presents a small crowned, white-bearded puppet perched on a blue pedestal.

A black-coated pirate performer leaps with arms spread while two striped-costumed performers watch, one holding up a dark sail on the ship-shaped bed.

A performer in a vivid pink and green dress stands under a spotlight at center stage while two striped-costumed performers react from the side.

Under deep blue lighting, three performers hold poles around a bed transformed into a small ship with a dark sail.

Three performers pose on a bright orange ship-shaped bed, with one standing confidently in a pink and green dress and two others smiling beside them.

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