Mercury Brochure Sep-Dec 2023

And just like that, we’re looking to the autumn and all the fantastic things that are coming up in the next few months!

We’re delighted to start welcoming our new associate companies to the Mercury this season including Paines Plough, who bring Strategic Love Play to our Studio and Frantic Assembly, who bring their exciting adaptation of Metamorphosis to the Theatre before we launch into our Christmas shows.

This year our Taking Part programme is busier than ever with classes, workshops and activities bookable now throughout the rest of the year. There’s so much to offer we couldn’t fit it all in this brochure!

It’s great see people returning to the Mercury and booking earlier than ever before, so don’t forget to sign up to a membership to get access to the best seats early. We can’t wait to see you this Autumn!

DERREN BROWN

Mercury For All

Did you know…

The Mercury is a not-for-profit, registered charity. We rely on audience donations and funders to continue the work we do in your community. If you are ever able to make a donation towards the Mercury’s future, we would be extremely grateful –oh yes we would!

We are here to help…

We anticipate a lot of people may have to sacrifice theatre tickets and engagement activities to cover the rise in cost of living. We want to do everything we can to ensure that these families can still access these opportunities and that cost is not a barrier to theatre.

All donations made to the Mercury will allow us to continue delivering vital work to our communities including offering bursaries, free family events, early careers support and more.

Want more bang for your buck? Become a member and receive theatre goodies in exchange for your donation! Gift Aid can also be applied to all donations.

Become a Member…

£25 per year

£60 per year

Priority Member

Be among the first to book for any show at the theatre.

Friend

All Priority Member benefits plus event invites, behind the scenes newsletters and free ticket exchanges.

£200 per year

Supporter

All Friend benefits plus 10% café discount, membership card, drink and programme vouchers and exclusive event invites.

£500 per year

Ambassador

All Supporter benefits plus lapel pin, calendar, press packages and tickets to backstage tour opportunities.

£1200 per year

Producers Club

All Ambassador benefits plus recognition in the public areas of the building, free car parking and two free tickets to every Mercury Production.

Donate Now!

All memberships are giftable

Sat 25 Nov – Sun 14 Jan

See website for times | Prices from £10 | Age: 5+

Award winning duo Dale Superville and ‘best Dame in the country’ (British Theatre) Antony Stuart-Hicks return to the Mercury this Christmas, along with Panto favourite Sasha Latoya for a wintery adventure that will be one to remember!

Princess Luna is tricked into pricking her finger on a spinning wheel needle, cursing her to everlasting sleep. Only true love’s kiss can wake the princess, so now it’s up to Fairy Fizz, Dame Maris Piper and Brian to defeat the evil Carabosse and save Luna!

Will the curse be lifted? Will true love conquer all? Join us this Christmas on an unforgettable journey to find out!

Directed by the Mercury’s Creative Director Ryan McBryde (Aladdin, Great Expectations, The Comedy of Errors), Sleeping Beauty jumps off the page in a side-splitting adaptation by Guy Unsworth (Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em).

Panto

Wed 13 Dec –

Sun 7 Jan

Children’s

See website for times | Prices from £10 Age: 2+

The world is a very big place, especially for a tiny baby penguin who is just finding his feet.

The shimmering stars and glistening snow spin around our little hero, while the mountains tower high and the wind rushes to and fro. And although baby penguin may be small his family know he’s the biggest thing of all.

This early year’s favourite is a lovely and touching story about a parent and their love for their child by much loved children’s author Emma Dodd.

Ideal for toddlers aged 2-5 as their first theatre experience.

‘Obscenely adorable’ ★★★★ Time Out

‘A lovely Christmas treat for the little people in your life’ ★★★★ West-end Wilma

Studio

I Really Do Think This Will Change Your Life

Written by Emma-Louise Howell

Directed by Hetty Hodgson

Fri 27 Oct – Sat 04 Nov

Belles was the popular girl, the IT girl, the oh-so-very-fit-girl.

When she was 17.

Now, she’s 24 and spends her days bossed about by her Mum and the girls she 100% used to bully.

So, when a life-changing opportunity slides into her DMs, she carpes the diem, finds her tribe, makes her millions and proves the worth of women worldwide one Instagram post at a time.

Except she doesn’t.

Because…come on.

Written by award-winning writer Emma-Louise Howell, longlisted for the BBC Writersroom, this is a hair-pulling, fake-nail scratching, cat-fight against what it means to be a Girl Boss™ and, hun, I REALLY DO THINK THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

See website for times

Tickets: £17.50

Play

Jump straight to the show page

Studio

With 98 seats, the Studio is an intimate space where anyone can be entertained, it’s a space for all! It’s our home of new writing, inspiring adaptations and the best of theatre festivals. We encourage you to bring your little ones for the first time, or try something brand new!

22 Sep, 10 Nov, 01 Dec Comedy

The Comedy Network

8pm | £13 | 18+ Save 10% when you book all 3 dates

Get ready to laugh out loud with an evening of great comedy as Avalon presents The Comedy Network.

Our popular comedy clubs have been making people laugh all year, so why not grab a drink with us, sit back and enjoy some of the best stand-up comedians on the circuit.

Avalon has an unrivalled reputation for finding new comedy talent and has many household names on their books, including Chris Addison, Rob Delaney, Jenny Eclair, Alex Horne, Chris Ramsey, Rosie Ramsey and Phil Wang - you never know, you might see the next big name in Colchester!

Pride Movie Nights

Join us in the Studio for a series of iconic queer films back on the big screen. We’re delighted to host a diverse selection of film screenings in partnership with Colchester Pride as we line up cult films like The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert through to modern classics like Brokeback Mountain.

Grab some popcorn and settle in for a great night out with some icons that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community!

See our website for the full schedule.

18+

Nights out at Mercury

Come and have a great night out with us. We host regular after-hours nights like Cocktail Cabaret, West End Live, Sing-a-longs and more!

All Lates are free!

Thu 28 – Fri 29 Sep

The Whispering Jungle

11am, 2pm | £12 | All audiences labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities

In association with Mercury Theatre, supported by Arts Council England, Hull City Council and Back to Ours.

The Turtle, the Monkey, and the Bird have all lost their home. Men in big, bright, yellow jackets came and chopped down all the trees. Now they’re forced away to fend for themselves, make their own new homes and pick up the pieces of the mess that the humans have left behind.

Concrete Youth’s new multi-sensory theatre production, The Whispering Jungle, brings together ASMR, sensory play and sensory puppets in an immersive touring production for young audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Tickets must be book by phoning the box office on 01206 573948.

Splinter By Martha Loader

6:30pm | £14 | 14+

Presented by Play Nicely Theatre

“When I said ‘for better or worse’, I thought I meant it. I just didn’t know how bad ‘worse’ could be”.

Maggie and a Jac are an ordinary couple. Maggie and Jac were an ordinary couple. But Maggie is forgetting things and she can’t help wondering if that is ordinary after all. Splinter is about love and memory and what happens when you start to lose both.

Wed 11 Oct Wed 18 Oct

Ghost Stories by Candlelight

7:30pm | £15 | 14+

A sea mist descends. The hound howls. Sodium streetlights twitch. A falcon soars above, on the hunt.

Gather close for a candlelit evening of chilling, contemporary tales and haunting new folk music from the ‘Witch Counties’ of East Anglia. What happens when the ghosts of the past creep up on us today?

Ghost Stories by Candlelight is written by Kelly Jones, Shamser Sinha and Nicola Werenowska. With music and songs composed by Georgia Shackleton. Directed by Elayce Ismail.

Performed at the Old Library

Strategic Love Play

By Miriam Battye, Directed by Katie Posner

Fri 29 – Sat 30 Sep

2pm, 8pm | £16.50 | 14+

So they’ve both swiped right. Now they’re meeting for the first time. Facing each other. As if that’s a normal thing to do.

But she’s being uncomfortable, and he’s a total bore. The vibe is horrific and the banter is even worse. But something is keeping them in their seats. Something is making them stay.

With acid wit, Miriam Battye’s new play takes a scalpel to modern romance, interrogating what we really talk about when we talk about love.

Presented by Paines Plough, Soho Theatre and Belgrade Theatre, in association with Landmark Theatres.

Project Dictator

Thu 19 – Sun 22 Oct

8pm | £14.50 | 12+

Their choice? To die onstage - or off it. Beautiful and bonkers - it’s the clown show about totalitarianism we never knew we needed.

Informed and inspired by conversations with international artists living under authoritarian regimes.

Rhum + Clay return after 2019’s smash hit The War of the Worlds and 2018’s The Stage award-winning Mistero Buffo.

‘Vivid, athletic and sensational…desperately moving’ ★★★★★ WhatsOnStage

‘Powerfully resonant political comedy... deceptively playful’ ★★★★ The Stage

Play

A Rhum + Clay Production, Originally Commissioned by New Diorama Theatre.

Thu 19 – Sat 22 Oct

Colchester Fringe returns to the city with more fun, bold and extraordinary fringe performances. Fringe will spill out on the streets of Colchester and also pop up in the Mercury Studio! We hope to see for a fun, fringey weekend!

See website for all performance times and dates.

Dirty

£9.50 | 12+

Dirty is as playful as it is powerful, an exploration of strength, resilience and solidarity in the face of modernday slavery. Brimming with mischief, and set against the unrelenting sound of tumble-dryers, Dirty will remind you of your own power.

Blood. Fear. Courage.

£9.50 | 15+

Performed by Ukrainian actors, with text taken directly from the extraordinary eye witness accounts of the people who fought for - and were then forced to flee - their country. This challenging drama takes the audience inside the dramatic moments that changed history.

Rey Camoy

£9.50

This haunting piece of physical theatre shows the artist in his studio, surrounded by the characters from his creations. It’s a gut-wrenching love-song to beauty - the kind of beauty worth living for, and dying for.

Anchor

£9.50 | 13+

Anchor delves into the complexities of relationships, playfully probing the tensions between passion and security within the life of a couple. Elsa Couvreur and Mehdi Duman dance, scream, laugh, but above all, sing a song we all know the lyrics to.

SESKA – Cooking Up Fun

£9.50 | 2+

Crazier than finding a penguin in your fridge, turbo-charged SESKA throws buckets of happiness into the air in this brilliantly inventive magic show for all ages. Entertaining crowds from Mumbai to Trinidad, a firm favorite at Camp Bestival – it’s a must see show !

Thu 30 Nov

Variety

Looking For Me Friend The Music of

Victoria Wood

8pm | £21.50 | 10+

‘The most feel-good show in town’ (Daily Mail) has served up nostalgia, music and laughter at Edinburgh Fringe, sold out venues across the UK and had the seal of approval from Victoria’s colleagues, school-chums and fans.

Featuring the star of BBC1’s All Together Now, Paulus The Cabaret Geek, with accompanist Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aïda). Join the boys as they take you on a whistle-stop tour of 21 of Victoria’s best-loved songs, including the hilarious Ballad of Barry & Freda and the classic It Would Never Have Worked. Dust off your stilettos and oven glove, and don’t forget the custard creams!

Wed 08 Nov

Play

Women Who Gave No Fu*ks

8pm | £13.50 | 16+

Mythic mayhem, human clap-o-meters and audience power! Brace yourselves for tales to make you want to rip up the rules and riot! Two teams of stand-up tale-tellers slam down stories of the super-women and unstoppably imperfect goddesses who stalk through the world’s myths and legends.

Who will you crown the Ultimate WomanWhoGaveNoF*cks?

Adopt a Seat

We can’t promise your name in lights, but the next best thing is to adopt a seat in our auditorium. Add a name, quote or honour a loved one. Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/adopt or speak to a member of our team to find out more.

Children’s

11:30am, 1:30pm | From £7.50 | 5+ Magical Honey with dance, magic, storytelling and live music.

Young Maya loves to draw and read and harnesses her own magic with the help of the celestial being Saraswati. But behold, her foe Miss. Tusra! - the evil headmonster, oops, headteacher believes that no one should enjoy art.

Maya now needs your help and a little bit of magic to combat Miss. Tusra and restore the beauty of her enchanting world. Can you help her?

Children’s

From the warm, pink glow of dawn through to a day filled with the bright colours of green leaves, blue sky, white clouds and, finally, a stunning rainbow — ‘WOW!’. But despite the beauty of the daytime world, the little owl decides that the night-time stars are the most beautiful of all.

WOW! Said the Owl, the acclaimed children’s book by award winning author, Tim Hopgood, is brought to life through a blend of beautiful storytelling, puppetry and music.

Grab a fancy gin, locally brewed beer, or a sharing platter of tasty snacks before the show!

Open all day before a show 10am-Late

This production of WOW! Said the Owl is based on the book WOW! Said the Owl © 2009 Tim Hopgood, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, a division of Macmillan Publishers International Ltd.

Thu 21 Sep – Sat 23 Sep Musical

7:30pm, 2:30pm | £16 - £27 | 11+

by Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton, Gerry Raffles and members of the Original Cast

An exhilarating theatrical journey from joy to despair and back again, Oh What A Lovely War is a deliciously satirical attack on the military incompetence and inconceivable disregard for human life the First World War has come to represent and a chilling reminder of man’s inhumanity to man. Wildly satirical, visually stunning and deeply moving, Oh What a Lovely War is a theatrical experience like no other; a fusion of live music, movement, songs and sketches bringing to life the folly, farce and tragedy of the First World War. Now, more than ever, it holds a mirror up to the world and speaks to us all.

‘One of the most innovative, audacious companies working in contemporary English theatre’ The Stage

Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park Arts Centre presents

Wed

20 Sep

Rosie Jones: Triple Threat

7:30pm | £17 | 14+

Join Rosie as she ponders whether she is a national treasure, a little prick, or somewhere in between! This show is guaranteed to be full of unapologetic cheekiness, nonsensical fun and unadulterated JOY from the triple threat herself.

Best known for her hit travel series Trip Hazard and Mission: Accessible, and for numerous appearances on shows The Last Leg, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Mock the Week, to name just a few!

Wed 27 Sep

UB40: The Legacy

7:30pm | £20.50 - £25.50

Performed by the internationally acclaimed Johnny2bad, the band recreates the greatest sounds from Birmingham reggae legends UB40.

Hear all the hits including Red Red Wine, Homely Girl, Kingston Town, Rat In Mi Kitchen, Food For Thought and many more in an electrifying energetic performance by this 8 piece band including a 3 piece horn section who have been personally endorsed by Ali Campbell.

Thu 28 Sep

Yippee Ki Yay the Die Hard parody

7:30pm | £20 | 14+

An acclaimed retelling of the classic film Die Hard from Richard Marsh - Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama awardwinner and New York cop (one of these is untrue).

This uplifting action romp (and unauthorised parody) pays affectionate tribute to the iconic 80s festive fan favourite. Essential viewing for Hans Gruber superfans and newcomers alike. Content warning: divorce, foot trauma, German terrorists.

Fri 29 – Sat 30 Sep

Fascinating Aïda – The 40th Anniversary Show!

7:30pm | £19.50 – £27.50 | 14+

Celebrating 40 years on the road in 2023, Dillie, Liza and Adèle, Britain’s raciest and sassiest musical cabaret trio, are bringing their brand-new show to theatres across the UK.

Fascinating Aïda have racked-up millions of internet followers, performed in the world’s most prestigious venues and been showered with awards and plaudits since they sashayed onto the scene back in 1983. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate with these unstoppable performers in their glorious prime!

Comedy

Musical

School of Rock

Please see website for times | £15 - £25 | 8+

Colchester Operatic Society Second Edition (CO2) return with the award-winning musical based on the hit movie. The show follows wannabe rock star teacher Dewey Finn, who makes it his mission to share his love of rock with his class of high achieving pupils, giving them an education they never knew they needed.

With numbers such as You’re in the Band, Stick it to the Man and Teacher’s Pet, this show is guaranteed to get your foot tapping!

An amateur/youth group production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Based on the Paramount movie written by Mike White. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Book by Julian Fellowes, Lyrics by Glenn Slater.

Your legacy is their future

Wed 11 Oct

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

7:30pm | £15 – £25 | 12+

A brand-new musical comedy is created live in front of your very eyes at each performance of this multi award-winning show, as audience suggestions are instantly transformed into hilarious all-singing, all-dancing entertainment.

With fourteen years as an Edinburgh Festival must-see, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award (Best Entertainment and Family) to their name, these incredible performers are guaranteed to impress.

‘Achingly funny… Worth seeing again and again’ Time Out

Leaving a gift to the Mercury in your will helps to ensure the arts in Colchester are supported for many years to come, including our work training the budding young stars of tomorrow. Gifts can be general donations or go towards a specific area of our work. We will gladly discuss how your gift can best be recognised. Let your love of theatre live on by visiting mercurytheatre.co.uk/legacy today.

Thu 12 Oct

Buddy Holly and the Cricketers

7:30pm | £21 – £25 | All ages

This breath-taking show has rock ’n’ rolled audiences across the globe from Cardiff to California, Barking to Bangkok and is guaranteed to have everyone singing along to the music and dancing in the aisles. The show rarely pauses for breath and is, quite simply, the most compelling concert of its kind. The hits just keep on coming - That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Heartbeat, It Doesn’t Matter Anymore, Raining In My Heart, Oh Boy! – and much, much more.

Gift of Theatre

If you’re looking for a brilliant birthday gift, or a last minute present for a special occasion, why not give the gift of theatre with a Mercury gift voucher. Buy a voucher online and send it via email immediately or on a special date as a gift for any amount you like! Vouchers can be redeemed online, over the phone or in person for any show or event at Mercury. Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/gift-vouchers

Wed

Jules Hudson: In The Town Where I Was Born

7:30pm | £18.50 – £22.50 | 12+

In what promises to be an intimate, revealing and often hilarious evening, Escape to the Country’s Jules Hudson will share in the many twists and turns of a career which has taken him from Britain’s oldest recorded town to life in the home of ‘the only gay in the village’ in mid-wales, and then around the world, as first an archaeologist, then filmmaker, and now both writer, presenter, and occasional parttime farmer.

The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Starring Gareth Gates

7:30pm | £19.50 – £27.50

Gareth Gates joins cast members from the smash-hit Tony award winning musical Jersey Boys and other hit West End shows in a spectacular high-pitched celebration of timeless music from one of the biggest selling groups of all time

Supported by an exceptional live band, the show features all your favourite songs including Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk Like A Man, and many more.

18 Oct

Thu 19 – Fri 20 Oct

Sat 21 Oct

Comedy

Comedy Club on the Road

7:30pm | £20 – £23 | 18+

Celebrating 28 years of bringing laughter to life across the globe! The Comedy Club have hand-picked four headline comedians and brought them together for you in one full show! Be prepared, buckle up and get ready for one of the funniest nights of your life!

Let’s have a great night of pure comedy & non-stop laughs.

See our website for the full line up.

Tue 24 Oct

Emerald Storm

7:30pm | £29 - £31

The new Irish Dance sensation direct from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at Windsor Castle ‘as seen on ITV’. Feel the immense power and thunderous rhythms as Irish Dance and Modern Tap combine to soar into the 21st century - Emerald Storm is a tale of love, rivalry and turmoil.

Co-written and co-choreographed by world renowned tap dancer and Hollywood actor Adam Garcia. This is a dance show not to be missed. This is Irish Dance reborn!

Thu 26 Oct

The Amazing Bubble Man

2pm | £14.50 – £16.50 | All ages

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed 14 years of sell-out success. Explore the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized.

“Better Than Cirque du Soleil” - Corbin Doughy, 11yo audience member.

Fri 27 Oct

Milkshake! Live

12:00pm & 3:30pm | £18.50 | All ages

Milkshake! Monkey is back and can’t wait to put on a spectacular new show for you all, joined by some of his favourite Milkshake! friends including Paddington, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy, Pip and Posy, Blue’s Clues & You!

This brand-new show has plenty of laughter, audience interaction and great fun to get everyone up on their feet! With great Milkshake friends, anything is possible. It’s a family show not to be missed!

Wed 25 Oct

Comedy

An Evening And A Little Bit Of A Morning With Mark Steel

7:30pm | £19 | 14+

There is so much to yell about. There’s the modern world in which you spend so long trying to work out iTunes, that it’s easier to form a band and learn the songs. But there’s also so much to be delighted with. Like the fact that everyone in Northampton knows the sign that says ‘Family Planning Advice – Use Rear Entrance’. Mark is a regular on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, QI and BBCR4’s News Quiz.

Sat 28 Oct Variety

Paul Zerdin: Puppetman

7:30pm | £15.00 – £24.50 | 14+

Join America’s Got Talent winner Paul and an array of ‘funny and sharp-tongued’ (The Observer) creations including Sam, Albert, Baby, Roger the bodyguard and an urban fox, as he takes to the road with a show which promises that ‘when you are not laughing, you will simply be left in awe’ (Three Weeks). As seen on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC1), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), and Tonight At The London Palladium (ITV).

Tue 31 Oct

One Night in Dublin

7:30pm | £20.50 – £25.50

The ultimate feel-good Irish music tribute show! Receiving rave reviews for its incredible musicians and great song choices, Middi and his award-winning tribute band cover all of your favourite sing-along Irish classics including Galway Girl, Tell Me Ma, The Irish Rover, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey in the Jar and many many more.

Wed 01 Nov

Music Talks

An Evening with Philippa Perry

The Show You Want Everyone You Love to Go To 7:30pm | £19.50 – £27.50

Celebrating the publication of her latest book The Book You Want Everyone* You Love To Read *(and Maybe a Few You Don’t), live on stage Philippa will be offering her trademark sane and sage advice, exploring how to best navigate a whole spectrum of relationships. She will illuminate how we can functionalise these vital connections so that when life throws us its inevitable hurdles, we might be better equipped to overcome them.

Thu

Dazzle! Swing Dance Spectacular

7:30pm | £22.50 – £27 | All ages

The Swing Time Jivers and Tony Jacobs’ Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra combine to create the most musical, exciting and entertaining songand-dance show in the UK.

A dazzling celebration of dance, music and song from the Roaring ‘20s and Fabulous ’30s including the Charleston, the Lindy-Hop, the Black Bottom and much more.

The orchestra and dancers also pay tribute to the incomparable Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in numbers such as the timeless Cheek To Cheek, Puttin’ On The Ritz and Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.

Do You Believe In Ghosts?

7:30pm | £28 - £32 | 12+

An original play, like no other!

Fri 03 Nov

Streisand – Woman In Love

7:30pm | £28 – £34

The only show of its kind in the UK celebrating the unrivalled vocal talent of one of the world’s most iconic artistes, Barbra Streisand.

Starring the sensational Keeley Smith, (from ITV’s Starstruck final) this sophisticated show combines the love of musical theatre and film and fuses it into a stunning concert. Get ready for a wonderful journey through the golden years of this legendary career and share in the “mem’ries”, the magic and the music!

Step into the haunted theatre for a chilling night – as leading man Adam, an actorturned-paranormal investigator, unravels the legends of theatre ghosts. With his guests Joanna and stage manager Steve, they venture into a live investigation of the theatre’s dark story. As they push the boundaries of reality, the line between performance and the supernatural blurs, and the consequences become dangerously real.

Prepare for a thrilling, mysterious, dark, humorous, unconventional roller-coaster performance of unexpected twists and turns, that will leave you questioning, “Do You Believe in Ghosts?”. Join us for a dark night. Dare you?

Music/Dance

Frantic Assembly presents Kafka’s

Metamorphosis

Adapted by Lemn Sissay. Directed by Scott Graham.

Tue 07 – Sat 11 Nov

One morning Gregor Samsa awakes to find himself changed. To those around him he is dangerous, untouchable vermin. Worse than that, he is a burden.

A word said, an action out of place, the opening of old wounds, none of which can be undone. Until now Gregor has woken every morning, quietly left to take the same train, and worked to pay off the family debt. But that world explodes on this morning of brutal metamorphosis.

In their first commission since 2019, Frantic Assembly and Lemn Sissay OBE collaborate on this thrilling new adaptation of Metamorphosis. Combining the fluidity and lyricism of Lemn Sissay’s adaptation and Frantic’s uncompromising physicality, this promises to be an unmissable retelling of Franz Kafka’s shocking tale of cruelty and kindness; a visceral and vital depiction of humans struggling within a system that crushes them under its heel.

Thu 09 Nov 7:30pm Post-show Q+A

Frantic Assembly CPD for Teachers

Tue 10 Oct

Play

See website for times

Prices from £15

School tickets available, please contact the box office to book

Age guidance 13+

Jump straight to the show page

This highly energetic and creative workshop allows teachers to access Frantic Assembly’s unique approach to creating physical material.

Our Teacher Training workshops are perfect for teachers and practitioners working with young people who wish to extend their knowledge and practice of devising and physical theatre techniques.

Commissioned and Produced by Frantic Assembly, in a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, Curve, MAST Mayflower Studios and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

The Mercury is a place where anyone, regardless of background, can take part in our exciting programme of weekly workshops and classes for adults and young people that are designed to develop performance skills, build confidence, meet new people and unleash your creative side!

MYC

Mercury Young Company, or MYC, is our yearround ensemble of young people training to be the theatre-makers of tomorrow.

Our groups meet weekly to explore playful new methods of storytelling and to create exciting pieces of theatre. Our fun, friendly classes focus on training young people to work together as an ensemble.

See website for term dates £95 per term*

MYC Musical Theatre

Run by West End professionals and experienced performers, this weekly dynamic class provides young people with an introduction to musical theatre. Each term we explore songs and create ensemble numbers that explore how to integrate the singing, dance and acting techniques needed to perform on the West End stage.

See website for dates, Saturdays 2pm-4pm £136 per term*

Twinkles & Stars

4mths-3yrs

Interactive, multi-sensory classes for early years children and their grown-up friends.

Imagination and creativity are a vital part of a child’s early life and these 45-minute sessions are designed to stimulate both. Through storytelling, dance and music, Tots provides parents and carers an opportunity to explore creative play with nothing but home materials and a sprinkle of imagination.

Tuesday mornings, see website for dates

£6.50 per session

Tots Twinkles 10:30am for babies and crawlers

Tots Stars 11:30am for walkers

5-17s

13-17s

Crafternoons: Costume

18+

Take part in a 2 hour craft session where you will work with theatre costume maker Heidi to create a small costume element from a traditional pantomime. This is an advanced session which will require knowledge of using sewing machines.

Heidi McEvoy-Swift is a textile artist and theatre costume practitioner, and has worked regularly at Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds. She trained at Central School of Art, and also works as designer and artist educator.

Saturday 14 Oct, 2pm-4:30pm. £30 per workshop

Musical Theatre Dance

18+

Each week our experienced choreographers, Rosie Mather (Matilda the Musical film) and Vivien Carter ( Anything Goes), will teach routines inspired by hit musicals in our gorgeous dance studio. With routines from classic and contemporary shows, you will be introduced to various styles such as Modern Jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop and many more. Staying active whilst dancing to your favourite show tunes – who could ask for anything more? Why not join us for a drink afterwards? All dancers receive a 10% discount on their first drink in our café bar.

Tuesdays, 6pm & 7pm

£6 per session

Mercury Community Choir

18+

Come sing with us! Led by our professional chorus leader the choir offers participants an opportunity to sing a dynamic and diverse repertoire of songs with performances in our theatre and at special events in Colchester and beyond.

Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just looking to have a great time and make friends through song - Community Choir welcomes you.

See website for dates, Thursdays 7-8:30pm £120 for term

We offer a payment plan, just ask our friendly Box Office team for details.

Drag Workshops with Tracey and Sugar Paper

18+

Here’s your chance to join a fun and fabulous workshop led by professional drag and performance artists, Dan Deller-Thompson (Drag Queen) and Lisa Warnock (AFAB Queen).

This class is open to all genders and is suitable for complete newcomers who just want to try something fun, as well as those with some prior performance experiences.

See website for dates and times

£15 per session

18+

Delivered in partnership with Le Barre, Pilates is a low-impact workout that comprises a variety of stretches achieved through precise poses to help you achieve a lean physique while challenging you mentally, physically and spiritually. Pilates is an effective stress release and mood booster, as well as being a brilliant way to keep fit.

See website for dates, Wednesdays 1pm £7 per session

Zumba Gold ®

55+ Pilates

Join us for a fun and relaxed dance fitness class combining Latin and World rhythms. This class is perfect for active older adults or someone looking for a more relaxed class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity.

See website for dates, Thursdays 10:15am £6 per session

Supporters & Funders

Corporate Supporters

We’re proud to partner with these outstanding local companies. With all eyes on our new building, there has never been a better time to join us. Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/support to learn more.

Premier Partners

Thank you to our Funders

Panto headline sponsor:

Our Upstairs Bar is generously supported by:

We are grateful to the following for their support of the Mercury Theatre:

Limelight Partners

Active Essex Arts Council England

Asda Foundation

Colchester City Council

Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities

D’Oyly Cart Charitable Trust

Essex Community Foundation

Essex County Council

European Regional Development Fund

FSJ Charities

National Lottery Community Fund

Sport England

Theatres Trust

The Wolfson Foundation

Your Visit

Car Parking

Car parking can be found at St Mary’s car park (CO3 3AA), a short walk from the theatre.

When buying show tickets in advance of your visit, discounted parking tickets can be purchased for £2.75. Accessible parking spaces outside the theatre can be booked online by joining our Access for All scheme or via the Box Office.

Café Bar

We offer a warm friendly welcome to everyone –whether you’re coming in to book tickets, watch a show or visiting the town, our café bar caters for all. We serve a wide selection of cakes, pastries, snacks and light meals, alongside a range of teas, coffees, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Where possible, our ingredients are sourced locally, our coffee is Fairtrade and our takeaway cups are recyclable.

If you’re watching a show don’t forget to preorder interval drinks and avoid the rush. We promise your ice cream will still be frozen and your drinks chilled!

How To Find Us

The Mercury Theatre is only one hour from London by car or train. Following the theatre mask symbols on the road signs will take you to St Mary’s car park (CO3 3AA) which is a short walk across the Balkerne Hill footbridge to the theatre.

For a more detailed map please visit our website.

Your Tickets

Tickets can be booked online, over the phone, or in person. We offer e-tickets which can be printed or saved on your mobile phone to show our friendly ushers.

Book Tickets

mercurytheatre.co.uk

tickets@mercurytheatre.co.uk 01206 573948

Our friendly team is available to assist you Tue to Sat 10am until 8pm. The box office will be open prior to performances on Sundays.

To find out more about your visit, view a seating plan, or for further booking information, please visit our website.

Disclaimer

All details in this brochure are correct at the time of going to print. Colchester Mercury Theatre Ltd reserves the right to make alterations where necessary. Brochure design by Poulsen Selleck. Printed by Brightsea Printing. Registered Charity No. 232387. Company Registered in England No. 441035.