Rachel Barnett’s adaptation of Gorilla is running at the Polka Theatre from 17 July – 16 August. Â Rachel’s new collection of plays out now.
Hannah loves gorillas, but she’s never seen a real one… It’s the night before Hannah’s birthday and something amazing is about to happen. When her toy gorilla comes to life, dressed in her father’s coat and hat, they embark on a thrilling, moonlit adventure.
Meet the world’s friendliest gorilla this summer as Polka’s sell-out show returns.
Adapted for the stage by Rachel Barnett, the classic award-winning picture book by former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne comes to life with puppetry, music and a giant sprinkling of Polka magic!
Rachel Barnett’s work has been performed at theatres in the UK and abroad, including The Royal Court, Theatre 503, and The Arcola Theatre, also at Chichester Festival Theatre, Royal and Derngate, Latitude Festival, Manhattan Theatre Source in New York, Live Girls in Seattle, Key City Public Theatre in Washington and Auroville in India.
Following a BA in English Literature from Cardiff University and an MA in Writing for Performance from Central School of Speech and Drama she has specialised in working with young people, people with disabilities and community groups. Rachel shares her time between playwriting, producing, workshop leading, lecturing, copywriting, company management, fundraising, project management and consultancy.
 Writing projects to date include original work, adaptations, translations, theatre in education projects, pieces for young audiences and young performers, and dramaturgy of collaborative devised work.
ah loves gorillas, but she’s never seen a real one… It’s the night before Hannah’s birthday and something amazing is about to happen. When her toy gorilla comes to life, dressed in her father’s coat and hat, they embark on a thrilling, moonlit adventure.