Mercury Theatre Borchure: Jun-Aug 2023

What’s

Hello!

It’s a year for celebration as we continue to mark Colchester becoming a city!

It’s an exciting time for art & culture in Essex and Colchester has so much to offer. We’re delighted to be part of a thriving scene across the city with the backing of our wonderful funders and supporters.

We’ve got a magical summer ahead with our next Mercury Production, Unbelievable, prior to it’s transfer to London’s West End. It’s written and directed by Derren Brown, Andy Nyman, and Andrew O’Connor and promises to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen at the Mercury before!

Don’t miss out on fantastic shows like Gogol’s Underdogs brought to you by the Mercury Young Company, Le Navet Bete’s hilarious Dracula, more family performances in the Studio with The Instrumentals and much more!

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 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 drinks reception invites.

£500 per year

Ambassador

All Supporter benefits plus lapel pin, calendar, press packages and exclusive theatre experiences.

£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.

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Donate Now!

All memberships are giftable

A Mercury Co-Production with Vaudeville Productions and Kenny Wax Ltd

Unbelievable

Written and Directed by Derren Brown, Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor

Fri 28 Jul – Sat 26 Aug

Derren Brown’s one man shows have won two Olivier Awards and played to sold out houses on tour across the UK, in the West End and on Broadway.

Now, with his long time collaborators Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor, Derren* has created a new show starring a multitalented cast of seven who will perform magic like you have never seen!

Be among the first to see the World Premiere of this theatrical experience before it goes to the West End.

The content of Unbelievable remains a closely guarded secret, but if you’ve seen one of Derren’s shows before, you know you’re in for a powerhouse treat!

*Please note that Derren Brown will not be appearing live in the show.

‘Simply miraculous. Completely astounding’ ★★★★★ Daily Telegraph, on Miracle

‘I’ve never watched anything so captivating mesmerising and utterly flabbergasting in my life’ ★★★★★ Liverpool Echo, on Showman

Sat 26 Aug 2:30pm Audio Described Fri 25 Aug 8:30pm BSL Interpretation

See website for times

Magic

Prices from £15 Concessions available

Age guidance 9+

May contain, flashing lights, haze, loud noises and jeopardy.

Jump straight to the show page

Le Navet Bete in association with Exeter Northcott Theatre

Dracula

The Bloody Truth

Thu 01 – Sat 03 Jun

If you’ve seen Le Navet Bete’s previous productions of The Three Musketeers and Treasure Island at the Mercury, you’ll love Dracula: The Bloody Truth!

This critically acclaimed, multi-five-star awarded hilarious comedy will be presented by Professor Abraham Van Helsing and his three idiotic actors as they stage a life-changing, theatrical production surrounding the true events of Dracula. Will they pull it off? It’s highly unlikely!

With four actors playing over 40 characters and directed by one of the UK’s most exciting comedy directors, John Nicholson, Dracula: The Bloody Truth will make you die laughing!

Devon based, award-winning Le Navet Bete are committed to creating hilarious, physical and family friendly comedy using creative and engaging storytelling. Having been licensed worldwide in 2017 don’t miss your chance to see this riotous smash-hit show.

‘Side-splittingly funny… by far the best new comedy I have seen this year’ ★★★★★ Broadway World

See website for times

Prices from £15

Age guidance 8+

The performance includes pulsating lights, pyrotechnics, haze, loud sound effects, some mock horror and words that sound rude (but are not!).

Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois

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A Russell Maliphant Dance Company Production

VORTEX

Tue 06 Jun

7:30pm | £16.50-£22.50 | Age: 6+

Dance

Influenced by the works and process of Jackson Pollock and Abstract Expressionism, Olivier Award winning choreographer Russell Maliphant brings to audiences VORTEX. Maliphant paints his own interpretation with movement, light, and shadow to create a visually rich journey, with the exceptional dancers of RMDC.

‘Maliphant’s choreographic universe is unique’

★★★★ Evening Standard, on Silent Lines

VORTEX is co-commissioned by Sadler’s Wells, London and supported by Arts Council England, DanceEast, Cockayne, The London Community Foundation, Ipswich Borough Council, and The Foyle Foundation.

The Scummy Mummies: Great Hits

7:30pm | £22 | 18+

Join Ellie and Helen as they celebrate ten years of scumminess! For a decade now, the Scummy Mummies have been touring their hit comedy show to sold-out audiences around the country. Now they’re bringing all their most-loved songs, sketches and stand-up together for a night that will make you laugh til you wee. Guaranteed to make you feel normal about your parenting skills, or very smug about being child-free.

G4 Live

7:30pm | From £27.50, VIP Meet and Greet tickets available | 12+

Having exploded into the industry and the public’s hearts back in 2004 on the first series of The X Factor, G4 continue to mesmerise audiences, year after year, with their unique style and unsurpassed trademark vocal harmonies.

Fans, new and old are enthralled by G4’s performances that include classic hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Creep, My Way, Circle of Life & Nessun Dorma - all leaving audiences screaming for more, night after night!

The Doctor Will See You Now With

Alan Fletcher

7:30pm | From £29.50, VIP Meet and Greet tickets available | 12+

Join Alan Fletcher (AKA Karl Kennedy) Ramsay Street’s most famous doctor, as he looks back and celebrates almost three decades of the TV hit series Neighbours while looking ahead to its future.

The Doctor Will See You Now takes audiences on a journey through unforgettable storylines, bloopers, secrets from behind the scenes and the emotional final weeks of filming what was then the show’s final episode before the soap got a reprieve in 2023.

Viva Burlesque

7:30pm | From £18.50 | 18+

The Viva Divas are returning for another outrageous evening of feathers, cheeky winks and twirling tassels! Carli Norris (EastEnders, Hollyoaks) and the Mercury’s legendary Panto Dame Antony Stuart-Hicks are back along with Europe’s best burlesque performers and some very special guests who will doubtlessly get roped into all the chaos!

Don’t miss this riotous comedy cabaret spectacular – Strictly over 18s only as it features some naughty words, partial nudity and extremely funny bits!

Fri 16 – Sun 18 Jun Children’s

Freckle Productions in association with Rose Theatre presents

Zog

See website for times | From £14.50 | 3+

Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. The smash-hit stage adaptation from Freckle Productions (the team behind Zog and the Flying Doctors and Stick Man) is back and promises to be bigger, brighter and more roar-some than ever before! Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s muchloved Zog is a magical production for all ages.

Wed 21 Jun Music

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

7:30pm | From £21.50

After a fantastic sell-out debut tour across the UK, Tina Turner fans will have the time of their lives as What’s Love Got To Do With It? is back for 2023 celebrating the music and 60 year career of this incredible rock and soul legend. Expect a night of high energy and feel-good rock and roll, performed by an all-live band. This joyous show features all the hits including Proud Mary, River Deep, Simply the Best, Private Dancer and many more.

Thu 22 Jun Music

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

7:30pm | From £26.50 | 12+

Direct from a week-long run in London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre, a sold-out worldwide tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back!

Using huge projection photos, original film footage and a full live band performing all the hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Homeward Bound and many more.

‘Fantastic’ Elaine Paige, BBC Radio 2

Fri 23 Jun Music

The Boulevards

7:30pm | From £17.50

The Boulevards are a sensational 1950s styled rock and roll band performing the greatest hits from the golden era of music.

From Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis to The Everly Brothers, The Boulevards deliver an authentic, uncompromising and electric performance of the greatest feel-good music of all time. The band features some of the UK’s finest rock and roll musicians who have been seen in theatre productions such as Dreamboats & Petticoats, The Buddy Holly Story, Sister Act, Firedance and All Together Now.

Zog © 2010 Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Published by Alison Green Books, an imprint of Scholastic Children’s Books.

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!

Fri 16 Jun, Fri 28 Jul Comedy

The Comedy Network – Fringe Previews

8pm | £13 | 18+

Fringe Previews are back! Our monthly standup comedy nights return to the Studio this summer with the best and brightest stars of the circuit testing out new material before heading to the Fringe! Grab some friends for a great night out, you never know which big new name you’ll see next!

Previous guests have included Sophie Duker (Taskmaster), Jayde Adams (as seen on Strictly Come Dancing), Simon Brodkin, Rob Auton, Sara Barron, Eleanor Tiernan and many more.

18 – 30 Jul

Festival

Mercurial Takeover

See website for details | All tickets £10

Our brand-new theatre festival arrives this summer!

Join us in the Studio as we introduce the Mercurial Takeover, a two-week festival of new writing from East-based artists – homegrown talent at its finest, right here in Colchester!

Expect rehearsed readings of new scripts, scratch performances of fresh writing and performances of stage-ready shows.

Love theatre? Come and support creatives as they build their new shows!

Written and directed by Mia Jerome, an Essex based creative

A Mercury Original in co-production with Blouse & Skirt!, Goblin Theatre & Little Angel Theatre

The Instrumentals

Wed 31 May – Sun 04 Jun

Get ready to groove with The Instrumentals

When Belle is feeling down she slips into her Grandfather’s basement and discovers his old dusty instruments. But far from being junk, The Instrumentals are pure funk and they teach Belle to ‘get down’ in a whole new way. Bursting to life with brilliant puppetry and bold seventies grooves, The Instrumentals is full of love and laughter, about the memories we hold and how we celebrate life.

This is a show for all children with characters, story and inspiration from the African-Caribbean diaspora. With innovative puppetry and lots of comedy, this fun musical journey will have audiences dancing in the aisles!

‘A powerful piece of children’s theatre that is moving in every sense of the word’ ★★★★ Broadway World

Grab a delicious picnic from our kitchen for £5.25 when you book your tickets.

Gluten free and vegan options available

Children’s

See website for times

Prices from £10

Age guidance 4+

The Instrumentals is aimed at ages 4-11. The story deals with the different feelings (sadness, confusion and anger) associated with grief and the loss of a family member (Grandpa) – all in a way that is appropriate for this age group and is ultimately joyful and uplifting, celebrating his life.

Please see our website for resources, aimed at adults, that may help you to support your child and discuss death with them.

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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.

Sat 22 Jul Children’s

Stories of a Little Watersprite

11:30am & 1:30pm | £10 | 4+

Amongst drifting waterweed and ancient mossy rocks, newts, snails and fish of all sizes go about their business. But strange things have started to appear. Things that crinkle and clatter and clutter up the pond. This underwater world needs change. This is where a little watersprite awakens…

Sophie Nüzel’s work for families uses storytelling, movement and puppetry to tell an important tale of our time and how we can come together to create change.

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

Sat 24 Jun Children’s

Professor Slug’s House of Bugs

11am & 2pm | £10 | 3+

The House of Bugs is fully booked with all sorts of bugs seeking help from Professor Slug and his fellow bug experts (that’s you, the audience!) But can all these buggy problems be solved before the Queen Bee arrives, or will a swarm of honey-hungry wasps wreak havoc?

This interactive show is packed full of colourful puppets, catchy songs and educational info about the wonderful world of bugs.

Professor Slug’s House of Bugs is proud to be supported by charity partner Buglife.

Santi & Naz

Thu 22 – Fri 23 Jun

8pm | £12 | 12+

Drama

Santi and Naz are bestest-best friends living in a village in pre-partition India.

One Sikh, one Muslim; they have little understanding of how religion will divide them. As partition draws closer, the carefree girls remain oblivious to the spreading social unrest and violence. But when Naz is betrothed to a tailor from the soon-to-be capital of Pakistan, the threat of separation for the young women looms. Bound by their love, we learn how far they will go to avoid the inevitable. Winners of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund 2023.

Praise for Ladykiller (2018): ‘A smash hit’ ★★★★★ Broadway Baby ‘Superb’ ★★★★ The Scotsman

16 Studio

Sat

Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers

11am & 2pm | £10 | 5+

All around the world Roald Dahlʼs words are disappearing, not only from books but children’s minds too!

Now only a secret organisation known as the Ancient Guild of TaleTenders can save the stories - and they need your help...

Especially made for ages 5 and up, the show develops both creative and literacy skills through performance, games and creative play, while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories, including The BFG and The Twits along the way.

Mischief & Mystery in Moominvalley

11am & 2pm | £10 | 3+

Based on the much-loved novels by Tove Jansson, this heart-warming show tells the story of a year in Moominvalley. Moomintroll wakes up in the middle of winter with a ‘something-wrong-feeling’. There’s no sign of his good friend Snufkin, or the note Snufkin left him. As winter turns to spring and Snufkin returns, the days lengthen into a lazy summer and ‘the sea brings them all the adventures they could wish for’.

Your legacy is their future

Mercury Young Company present

Thu 17 – Sat 19 Aug

See website for times | £16 | 8+

By Nikolai Gogol

Adapted by Darcy Brymen

Performed by Mercury Young Company

Youth Play

A Very Important Person wakes up one day to discover his nose is missing, only to find out his nose is now a government official - and the nose outranks him!

Gogol’s Underdogs will catapult audiences into the fantastical world of St Petersburg as seen through the eyes of Ukrainian novelist Nikolai Gogol.

A man chronicles his descent into madness. A poor filing clerk’s life is turned upside-down by the overcoat he sacrificed so much to obtain.

A visual feast featuring physical theatre, music and puppetry. These surreal and wonderful tales paint a critical, yet hilarious portrait of a city riddled with pomposity and selfimportance, combining absurdist farce with biting satire.

Sat 10 Jun, Tue 20 Jun

The Life of Pi

11am or 7:30pm | £13.50 | 12+

Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in a unique, Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of the best-selling novel brought to life in a breath-taking new way for cinema screens.

After a cargo ship sinks, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Fleabag

7pm | £13.50 | 15+

Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a riproaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life. Following a box-office record-breaking run in cinemas in 2019, the one-woman show returns to the big screen this summer

Sat 17 Jun

Best of Enemies

7pm | £13.50 | 15+

David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s (Sherwood) multiple award-winning new political thriller.

As beliefs are challenged and slurs slung, a new frontier in American politics is opening and television news is about to be transformed forever.

Fri 04 Aug

Pride Movie Nights

Join Colchester Pride for a celebration of queer cinema, bringing classic LGBTQ+ movies back to the big screen every month!

We’re delighted to host a diverse selection of film screenings in partnership with Colchester Pride as we line up cult films like To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar through to modern classics like Brokeback Mountain.

Grab some popcorn and settle in for a great night out with movie icons!

See our website for the full schedule.

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!

Social Club

55+

Our Social Club is an opportunity for anyone aged 55 and over to connect with other members of our community, learn new skills and take part in fun activities. This is an opportunity for participants to get involved creatively and is a safe, inclusive space to forge new friendships.

The Social Club meets every Thursday and the best part? Brews and biscuits are included in the price!

Thursdays, 12-2pm £7 per session

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.

Crafternoons: Millinery

In this 2-hour workshop you’ll be guided by Susan Widlake, Milliner and Mercury Creative, through the process of making your very own fascinator or bicorn. There will be an assortment of ribbon, flowers, feathers and trims for you to create something uniquely yours to take home. Basic sewing skills are useful but if you think you might struggle, don’t worry, Susan will help!

Saturday 10 Jun, 2-4pm £30 per workshop

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

Pilates

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. Highly experienced Pilates/Ballet instructors with years of Pilates, Professional Dance, Fitness and wellness experience deliver our Pilates classes.

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

Zumba Gold ®

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.

The class introduces easy-to-follow choreography that aims to improve balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, have fun and prepare to leave confident and feeling strong!

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

55+

18+

18+

MYC

5-17s

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

13-17s

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*

MAC

Mercury Adult Company (MAC) is a weekly practical and innovative theatre group for anyone aged 18+ with a shared passion for creating exciting theatre – both on-stage and behind the scenes. The company makes bold work, championing unheard stories and undiscovered talent.

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned performer – if you want to express yourself, perform, laugh, meet new people or develop creative skills, we want to create with you in MAC!

See website for dates, Thursdays 7-9pm £80 for 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

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!

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.

Thank you to our Funders

Our

Premier Partners

Limelight Partners

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

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.