About Roly Poly
Roly Poly is a sensory musical playscape for under-twos and their caregivers. We create gentle, responsive performance spaces where very young children and their adults can explore, play and enjoy live music together. Each 40-minute show is followed by relaxed time to chat and continue playing in a calm, welcoming environment.
Using simple cardboard structures, soft lighting and improvised music, we transform everyday venues into spaces of imagination. Roly Poly offers a slow-paced, child-led alternative to overstimulating group activities – the kind that can leave both little ones and grown-ups feeling overwhelmed. We’ve experienced this first hand, and Roly Poly is our response: calm, attuned, and shaped by the children who take part.
We began developing Roly Poly together in 2024, following work with Magic Acorns. Our shared sense of humour and belief in the power of play sit at the heart of our practice.
Parents have described the show as “relaxing, mesmerising, and very child-led.” Many leave feeling more confident about playing with their babies, inspired by ideas to try at home.
This project is supported by Arts Council England, Suffolk County Council, and partners including Magic Acorns, Suffolk Artlink, Britten Pears Arts, Fabrica Gallery, Spunglass Theatre, Musical Beacons, Family Hubs and Libraries.
Who we are
Charly Jolly & Maddie Broad
Charly Jolly is a freelance artist, musician and improviser who plays clarinet, leads community music projects, and tours internationally with the band Perhaps Contraption.
Maddie Broad is a freelance artist working with attuned, sensory theatre for early years audiences. They perform as a singer and create participatory experiences at festivals and events.