Review: Whipped Up!, Polka Theatre

It’s a freezing February afternoon, so what better place to take your baby than an ice cream parlour? No – hear me out! There’s no better place indeed, because this one at Polka Theatre is cosy and warm, nestled in the intimate space of the Adventure Theatre. And it’s full of family fun!  

Welcome to Tiny’s Diner, where a beautiful, baby-scale 50s diner in pastel colours takes centre stage. Our visit is made exciting from the get go as friendly waitress Dottie greets us at the door, before inviting us to come and sit at the counter and choose from the ice-cream sundae menu. It’s Dottie’s first day in the role and she’s got a lot to learn, but she does a great job of taking orders, imaginatively making up sundae names whilst giving each child individual attention; listening carefully and patiently and making each feel special. So, she makes a few mistakes on her shift – but with the support of her small customers and their carers things turn out fine.

There’s lots to love about this beautifully immersive show. The visually gorgeous, precision design work captures the essence of Americana, from Dottie’s fabulous outfit to the tubs of stripy straws, child-friendly sundae glasses, complete with scoopable ice cream balls and a healthy(?) serving of whipped cream with a cherry on top. It’s all considered to the last detail, offering texture, colour, sounds and even bubbles to pop for inquisitive customers to enjoy sensory play. The background music is gentle but atmospheric and the choice of songs is familiar and inviting, making it easy to join in.

Above all, the performance by Louise Cielecki as Dottie is simply wonderful. The audience of babies and toddlers are predictably messy – there are straws and spoons everywhere, order bells binging relentlessly and ice cream on the floor, children wander where they shouldn’t. But Cielecki’s charismatic performance is paced and perfectly timed, with Dottie taking everything in her stride. Always kind, playful and patient, she is the epitome of politeness and care, bringing all these qualities into the room where they support a welcoming environment and suggest a safe place in which to make mistakes. 

There’s a thing that happens often in children’s theatre and rarely elsewhere on stage: the shared space seamlessly becomes one of collaboration, filled with glorious things like imagination, affirmation, patience, laughter and positivity. It’s tangible and affective – a lovely environment for young people to learn about their world alongside their peers. Dottie’s relationship with the children is improvised but authentic, particularly when she shows her own vulnerability and self-doubt, offering an opportunity to be empathic and caring back. 

The show works well on many levels, being interactive, educational, playful and humorous: it’s even funny for the older participants, who might enjoy enthusiastic small customers being invited to leave a resumé in order to pick up a shift. But the whole is admirably child-led. It is a joyfully imaginative and heart-warming experience that focusses carefully on listening and responding to the audience, whilst allowing them to respond as they wish. At the end there’s even a chance to stay and play with Dottie, surrounded by sparkling bubbles. With a menu like that everyone comes away happy, and Whipped Up! serves up smiles all round.

Written and conceived by: Jill Rogati
Directed by: Eva Sampson

A Watford Palace Theatre Production

Whipped Up! is aimed at ages 2 months to 2 years and runs at Polka Theatre until Sunday 16 February, then Half Moon Theatre 7-8 March.