Expectation VS Reality: Our take on The Firework Maker’s Daughter at The Polka Theatre
Stepping into the Polka Theatre for their festive headliner is always an event, especially after the runaway success of last year’s award-winning Nutcracker. This year, the stage belongs to Philip Pullman’s The Firework Maker’s Daughter, and for me, the evening was full of intriguing surprises.
Having not read the beloved novel on which the production is based, I walked in without any firm expectations. The little I knew of the plot—the quest of a young girl named Lila to become a master firework-maker—didn’t immediately scream ‘must-see festive spectacle.’ Yet, knowing my eldest son is studying the book at school made it a fantastic choice for him, and I was curious to see how this story could possibly fill the boots of the Christmas season’s main event.
The Story: A quest for Royal Sulphur
Adapted by Jude Christian and directed by Lee Lyford, the show is clearly a faithful and loving rendition of Pullman’s tale of courage, friendship, and ambition.
The story follows the determined Lila (Tika Mu’tamir), who must embark on an epic, illuminating journey to Mount Merapi to acquire the essential Royal Sulphur. This journey is richly brought to life through a blend of inventive theatre and the show has moments of genuine, breath-taking magic, particularly in its visual execution.
Visual Spectacle: Puppetry, Lighting, and Stage Magic
Exquisite Puppetry
The puppetry, created by Maia Kirkman-Richards, is truly exquisite and a standout feature of the production. It spans the scale from small and delicate for the intimate prologue to grand and breathtaking for the main quest. A perfect example is Hamlet the elephant, a beautiful, life-sized puppet with soulful eyes whose gentle realism brings a powerful, magical presence to the stage.
Dazzling Lighting and Pyrotechnics
Jonathan Chan’s lighting design also merits a special mention. From the start, the unusual nets high in the rigging caught our eye – my 7-year-old was convinced they were a theatrical trap!
This clever staging proved essential for the fantastic pyrotechnic finale. The show uses many visual tricks to represent fireworks, but just when you think every method has been exhausted, these nets illuminate the auditorium. They capture and reflect a stunning cascade of light and colour, creating a dazzling and unexpected final burst of pure theatrical magic for the ultimate firework competition.
Pacing and Payoff: A show in two halves
At the end of the show a little girl sat next to me told me she ‘much preferred the second half’. I was relieved I wasn’t the only one.
The second act is where the show truly takes off. The final scenes, culminating in the high-stakes firework competition, deliver the emotional and visually breathtaking climax that you hope for in a festive show.
Rigorously faithful to the book, the first half lacked pace and got stuck under the weight of heavy dialogue. Albeit it still velvety rich in content and execution.
But if the first half was a slab of Dairy milk, the second half was a box of quality street. Bright and frivolously funny. I will forever remember the boisterously funny Bavarian Fräulein who had us doubling over during the firework competition and the surge in audience enthusiasm as we were encouraged to trigger the clap-o-meter with our applause.
The Verdict
This is an ambitious and technically polished production that, despite a few moments of theatrical patience required in the first half, comes to life and dazzles in the second half.
Despite the show’s theatrical brilliance, I must admit I struggled to fully grasp some of the main thematic takeaways, even as an adult. While the production is hugely enjoyable, the final reveal—that the elusive Royal Sulphur is essentially an illusion—and the concept that success hinges on the three gifts of talent, courage, and good luck felt alluded to rather than clearly stated. (Full disclosure: I actually had to Google the three gifts afterward!)
The core values of Lila’s journey, like love and friendship, drive the entire plot, yet they don’t seem to make the final cut in the moral summary. Ultimately, I feel that simplifying the final message would have given the young audience a much clearer, more resounding, and truly memorable takeaway from this magical adventure.
The Daily Mumtra Recommends
The Firework-Maker’s Daughter may not be the most obvious choice for a Christmas theatre outing, especially compared to traditional festive fare, but it is a show that rewards curiosity and courage—much like its heroine. With its spectacular visuals, unforgettable puppetry, and a core story about a girl chasing her dreams, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this imaginative and technically brilliant production a try. If you have children aged 6+, (particularly those in Year 4 or 5 when this book tends to be studied in school) this Polka Theatre headliner is a must-see.
Tickets and Practical Information
The Firework Maker’s Daughter runs at the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon until 18th January 2026. It lasts 1hr 30 mins with an interval. Tickets start at £10. Book Here
READ NEXT: Ultimate Guide: London Christmas Theatre shows for Kids (2025)
