REVIEW - MIKA AND THE POLAR BEAR | Z-ARTS | 18/04/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
Mika and the Polar Bear at Z-arts — A Magical Family Adventure Full of Heart, Hope and Wonder
Mika and the Polar Bear is a brand-new family dance-theatre production from Manchester-based Coalesce Dance Theatre, created in response to the climate crisis and touring communities across the UK. Designed for children aged 4–11 and their families, the show blends contemporary dance, puppetry, original music and digital animation to create an imaginative and meaningful theatrical experience.
I took my two children, Alice (8) and Leo (6), along to see the show at Z-arts—and from the moment it began, they were completely drawn into Mika’s world.
At its heart, Mika and the Polar Bear is a story about resilience, friendship and finding hope in unexpected places. When Mika is swept away by a climate disaster, they are carried into a strange and ever-changing world, meeting creatures across land, sea and sky—each with their own story of survival.
The emotional centre of the story comes when Mika meets a lone polar bear. As their two worlds collide, an unlikely friendship begins to form, and together they navigate the unknown in search of a new beginning.
The storytelling is beautifully clear and easy for younger audiences to follow, even without heavy dialogue. Alice was completely transfixed throughout, while Leo watched wide-eyed as the journey unfolded.
The staging is wonderfully simple yet incredibly effective. A small rug at centre stage becomes the starting point for Mika’s journey, with minimal props and sculptural “ice” pieces transforming the space as the story unfolds.
What really brings the production to life is the use of digital animation and lighting. Falling snow drifts gently across the stage in one particularly magical moment, while shifting projections create oceans, skies and icy landscapes that feel immersive without ever overwhelming the action.
Mika’s bright red jacket stands out beautifully against these changing environments, helping younger audience members easily follow the character throughout.
The choreography is expressive, fluid and perfectly pitched for family audiences. There are moments of softness and stillness alongside more dynamic lifts and sweeping movement, all of which help tell the story in a way that feels natural and engaging.
The original music supports this beautifully, enhancing the emotion of each scene without overpowering it.
The puppetry is a real highlight. From a playful fish to a characterful fox, each creature is full of life—but it’s the polar bear that truly steals the show. As soon as it appeared on stage, both Alice and Leo audibly gasped in awe, completely captivated by its lifelike movement and presence.
With just two performers, Janis Ho (Mika) and Luke Speddings (The Bear), the production feels impressively full and dynamic.
Janis Ho brings warmth, curiosity and innocence to Mika, creating a character that younger audiences can instantly connect with. Her performance is clear and expressive, making the story easy to follow through movement alone.
Luke Speddings is equally engaging, particularly through his work bringing the polar bear to life. The journey from cautious distance to trust is handled with real sensitivity, creating some genuinely touching moments. He also showcases impressive versatility, not only taking on the role of Mika’s dad but bringing other animal characters to life through puppetry, and at times appearing to physically embody the fox alongside it, which adds another layer of creativity to the performance.
Together, their chemistry is effortless. Whether moving in unison or interacting through the puppetry, they create a believable and engaging world that holds the audience’s attention throughout.
Mika and the Polar Bear at Z-arts is a truly special piece of family theatre—thoughtful, visually beautiful and filled with heart.
It introduces important themes like climate change, resilience and displacement in a way that feels gentle, accessible and full of hope for younger audiences. The combination of dance, puppetry and animation creates a magical experience that captures imaginations from start to finish.
For us, the highlight had to be the polar bear—both children absolutely adored it, and getting to meet it at the end of the show made the experience even more memorable.
A beautifully crafted family show that shows just how powerful friendship, hope and connection can be.
Mika and the Polar Bear has now completed its current UK tour, finishing at Z-arts. To keep up with future performances and follow the show’s journey, visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Ellie Wel Photography
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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