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.

5 Years

8pm | £12

Play

Fri 24 Mar, Fri 28 Apr, Fri 19 May

The Comedy Network

8pm | £13 | 18+

Would you exchange five years of your life for the perfect body?

Yasmin has decided that she would. She is about to undertake a radical procedure that promises to deliver the perfect body and the happiness that seems just out of reach. But at what cost?

5 Years is a new comedy–drama that asks, ‘what do we lose in the pursuit of perfection?’

Wed 24 May

Fri 12 May Play

Tapped by Katie Redford

7:30pm | £12 | 14+

Tapped is a heart-warming comedy that explores the importance of connection, fulfilment and (lack of) hope.

In Stapleford aka Stabbo, we meet Gavi, Jen and Dawn at an amateur self-help group who are all desperate for escapism. Gavi wants to inspire his community. Which is tricky when everyone would prefer to just stay at home and watch Bake Off. A garage. A flipchart. A pile of Club biscuits. T-shirts that don’t fit. And three people who are really stuck.

Comedy

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!

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

A new Mercury Original ideal for ages 4+

Wed 31 May – Sun 04 Jun

11am & 1:15pm | Tue-Thu £10, Fri-Sun £14

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.

Children’s

This is a show for all children with characters, story & 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 Mercury Original in co-production with Blouse & Skirt!, Goblin Theatre & Little Angel Theatre.

Picnic

Packed Lunch

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

Gluten free and vegan options available

Sat 4 Mar

Screenings

We will be announcing further NT Live screenings in the coming months. Keep an eye on our website and newsletters for further information.

Othello

11am | £13.50

An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance).

Wed in secret, Desdemona and Othello crave a new life together. But as unseen forces conspire against them, they find their future is not theirs to decide.

Othello is filmed live on the Lyttleton stage of the National Theatre.

The Crucible

7pm | £13.50

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma).

Sat 25 Mar

Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial.

Lyndsey Turner (Hamlet) directs this contemporary new staging, designed by Tony Award-winner Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy).

Captured live from the Olivier stage at the National Theatre.

Good

Thu 20 Apr 6:30pm, Wed 26 Apr 7pm, Tue 02 May 8pm £13.50

David Tennant (Doctor Who) makes a much-anticipated return to the West End in a blistering reimagining of one of Britain’s most powerful, political plays.

Thu 20 Apr, Wed 26 Apr & Tue 02 May

As the world faces its Second World War, John Halder, a good, intelligent German professor, finds himself pulled into a movement with unthinkable consequences.

Olivier Award-winner Dominic Cooke (Follies) directs C.P. Taylor’s timely tale, with a cast that also features Elliot Levey (Coriolanus) and Sharon Small (The Bay). Filmed live at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London.

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

5-25s

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.

Our groups run on Tuesdays for ages 5-13’s and Wednesday evening for 13-25’s and Saturdays for MYC Musical Theatre for 14-17’s.

£95 per term*

See website for term dates

*A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

Mac

18+

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, write, laugh, meet new people or develop creative skills, we want to create with you in MAC!

Thursdays, 7-9pm

First session taster £8 or £80 per term

See website for term dates

Tots Twinkles & Stars

4mths-3yrs

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

Through storytelling, dance and music, Tots is a 45 min session designed to provide parents and carers with an opportunity to explore creative play with nothing but household materials and a sprinkle of imagination.

Tuesday mornings

See website for times

£6.50 per session*

*A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

Pilates

Delivered in partnership with Le Barre, Pilates is a low-impact workout that comprises of 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.

Wednesdays, 1pm (55mins)

£7 per session

Musical Theatre Dance

Come and meet those dancing feet!

Each week our experienced choreographer will teach routines inspired by hit musicals in our gorgeous dance studio. Incorporating energetic warm-ups and 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 all-new café bar.

Due to popular demand, we now have two classes to fit around your schedule.

Tuesdays, 6pm & 7pm

£6 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 easyto-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!

Thursdays, 10:15am (45mins)

£6 per session*

*A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

Senior Social Club

Our Social Club is an opportunity for anyone aged 50 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.

Activities rotate on a monthly basis and you can participate in as many of the activities as you wish – oh and the best part? Brews and biscuits are included in the price!

For a full outline of the sessions please visit our website.

Thursdays, 12pm-2pm

£7 per session*

*A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

Drag Workshops with Tracey and Sugar Paper

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). In a class open to all genders, come and create drag performances including lip sync, characterisation through movement and comedy skills. You’ll also get the chance to try some basic choreography to iconic music. Why not join us in the bar for a strut afterwards to enjoy our Lates: Cocktail Cabaret?

£15 per session

See website for dates and times.

Community Choir

Come sing with us!

Community Choir is a weekly get-together for people of all ages with a song in their heart and a spring in their step!

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.

Thursdays, 7pm-8.30pm

£120 for term

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

Working with Schools and Teachers

Each year, we work with hundreds of young people and teachers, who benefit from the transformative power of theatre in their school and local community. When working with schools we are impact focused and use a strategic approach, creating relevant and engaging learning experiences, empowering schools to embed culture and creativity across the national curriculum. Drama is a powerful tool that can bring any topic to life whether it be, Science, Social Studies, Literacy, Numeracy or Drama and our work is STEAM focused to complement the curriculum and contribute to the development of a range of young people.

For a full overview of the activities and events we can offer to schools and teachers please visit our website to find out more.

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 Upstairs Bar is generously supported by:

We are grateful to the following for their support of the Mercury Theatre: Active Essex / Arts Council England / Asda Foundation / Colchester City Council / Colchester Borough Homes Community Fund / Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities / D’Oyly Cart Charitable Trust / Essex Community Foundation / Essex County Council / Essex Shortbreaks / European Regional Development Fund / FSJ Charities / National Lottery Community Fund / Sport England / Theatres Trust / The Wolfson Foundation