Plastic Drastic Fantastic
About the work
A new dance show exploring our complex relationship – from the molecular to the planetary – with all things plastic.
Plastic. Is it friend or foe? Remarkable or rubbish? Helpful or harmful?
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is a contemporary dance theatre work for children and their families which explores our complex relationship with plastics – the fantastic possibilities they offer, as well as the drastic consequences to the environment.
Drawing from South Asian dance techniques, the artists explore plastics and the dangers of their misuse through intricate movement, gestures and play infused with interaction with the audience. The processes and stories underpinning this project have been steered by children and young people – who are at the heart of the research for this work – created in collaboration with material scientists at UCL. The show initially was co-produced with Polka Theatre.
Plastic Drastic Fantastic is an inclusive experience, accessible for D/deaf young people and children.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Our Autumn 2023 tour is booking now at venues across the UK. For more information please contact info@akademi.co.uk.
Download the tech pack below for detailed information about the show. To request more information or enquire about touring this work please get in touch, email info@akademi.co.uk.
The Spring 2022 tour took place at: Polka Theatre, Wimbledon from 6 April to 8 May 2022 and Watermans Art Centre, Brentford on 15 May 2022.
“Excellent and stunning…”
Young audience members
“Breath-taking and astonishing…”
“Amazing and beautiful…”
“I strongly recommend that parents and children catch this wonderful show.”
Anita Chanda, Pulse Magazine
“It’s wonderfully refreshing to see classic South Asian dance performed so playfully and in a contemporary context.”
Mary Pollard, Everything Theatre
2023 Tour Dates
Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
Tues 3 Oct
2:30pm Performance
(closed performance)
Harrow Arts Centre, London
Fri 6–Sun 8 Oct
Performances & workshops
- Fri 6 Oct:
9:30am Performance (schools) followed by a workshop - Sat 7 Oct:
11am Performance (public)
1pm workshop - Sun 8 Oct:
11am Performance (relaxed)
1pm workshop (relaxed)
DanceEast, Ipswich
Fri 27–Sat 28 Oct
Performances followed by Q&A and workshops
- Fri 27 Oct:
Time SEND workshop - Sat 28 Oct:
2:30pm Performance + Q&A
4pm Workshop (for 7-12 years)
Dance Woking
Tues 31 Oct–Wed 1 Nov
Performances, workshops and CPD for artists
31 Oct:
11:30am Family workshop
1:30pm
Performance
1 Nov: 10:30am
Professional CPD for artists led by Akademi
1:30pm & 5:30pm Performances
Warwick Arts, Coventry
Fri 3–Sun 5 Nov
Part of the Planting Roots Festival
Performances, discussions & workshops
- Fri 3 Nov:
11am & 1pm Family workshops - Sat 4 Nov:
11am Performance + Q&A
1:30pm ‘Hear from the expert’ family discussion with Suba & scientists
2:15pm Performance (relaxed) + Q&A
3:30pm Family workshop - Sun 5 Nov:
11am Family workshop
2pm Performance + Q&A
3:30pm workshops
The Spark Arts for Children, Leicester
Mon 6–Fri 10 Nov
‘At Your School’ Performances in schools

“We can’t tell you how excited we are about this show. We’ve taken ideas from kids from all around the country to create a fun, thoughtful and engaging show exploring the good and bad of all the plastics we use in our day-to-day lives. Our South Asian dancers and creative team have developed a truly unique show we’re sure children and their families will love.”
Suba Subramaniam, Director & Choreographer
Credits
Creative Team
Role | Credit |
---|---|
Direction and Choreography | Suba Subramaniam |
Sound Artist and Composer | Kathy Hinde |
Sound and Technical Artist | Matt Olden |
Set Designers | Brian Hartley and Jesal Patel |
Lighting Designers | Aideen Malone and Ben Cowens |
Costume Designer | Brian Hartley |
Creative Consultant for D/deaf Audiences | Ramesh Meyappan |
Producer | Belinda Sculley |
Rehearsal Directors | Kamala Devam and Archita Kumar |
Production Manager | Simon Beyer |
Stage Manager | Meg Le Marchant |
Supported by

Originally Co-produced by

2023 Performance Credits
Credit |
---|
Anekha Pillai |
Kirsten Newell |
Mithun Gill |
Media Credits
Role | Credit |
---|---|
Images | Brian Hartley |
Trailer | Justin Jones |
Location | Courtesy of Polka Theatre and Harrow Arts Centre |
Spring 2022 Credits
Role | Credit |
---|---|
Cast | Anjana Bala, Shivaangee Agrawal, Shyam Dattani |
Producer | Matt Borgatti |
Production Manager | Adam Crosthwaite |
Costume Designer | Rachana Jadhav |
Original co-producer | Polka Theatre |