Aim: We need your help to bring Polar Bears by award-winning author Mark Haddon to the White Bear in Kennington from 28th-30th of August!
“Talking means nothing. Not until you’ve seen it. Not until you’ve been there.”
ABOUT THE PLAY
John has never met anyone like Kay. When the moon is in the right phase, she is magnetic and amazingly alive. But when the darkness closes in, she is lost to another world, a world in which John does not belong.
‘Polar Bears’ by award-winning ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ author Mark Haddon puts on full display the human struggle on behalf of a partner, a brother, and a mother to love, support and live with someone suffering from a psychological condition.
How do you hold on when the person you love disappears? How do you stay when you want to walk away? And when you do leave, who picks up the pieces?
This is a story about mental health that refuses to soften the raw edges. It’s brutal, tender, ugly, and deeply human. It’s even funny, and that especially matters when the darkness is always at the brink of closing in again.
WHO WE ARE & WHY THIS MATTERS
This production was spearheaded by Stephen Trowbridge and Kim Featherstone. After seeking out like-minded theatre-makers who find stories like these extremely affecting, together we've teamed up to bring it to life. Polar Bears is not just about bipolar disorder, it is about the ones who stay. The ones who leave. The ones who don’t get to choose.
The people involved in this production bring experience from across the industry.
The cast and creatives include:
This production is personal. Whether by lived experience with bipolar disorder or other diagnoses that have affected us or the people we love, we feel close to this show.
Our ultimate goal is exposing it to more people with whom it will connect. It’s not about ticket sales or casting directors - it’s about embracing the reality of those embroiled in mental illness - including the parts that are difficult to understand or even impossible to accept. We are committed to bringing this play to life with the humour, nuance, and unflinching honesty it deserves.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
Theatre is expensive. Your donations will go directly toward making this production possible:
Stretch goals (aka funds raised beyond our target) will be invested in travel compensation for our hard-working cast & creatives.
REWARDS
We believe in thanking our supporters in meaningful ways. Here’s what you’ll get for contributing:
HELP US MAKE THIS HAPPEN
Polar Bears will go up on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of August, 2025. We need your help to bring this vital story to the stage. By donating, sharing, or even just following our journey, you are helping us create theatre that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—because real life doesn’t, either.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @polarbearsplay for behind-the-scenes updates!
Every donation, every share, every bit of support makes a difference. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 20th August 2025 at 12:00pm