Mercury Theatre Brochure 2022-2023

What’s On

Jun 2022-Mar 2023

It’s a kind of magic What is it, exactly, that we’re selling to you in the pages of this brochure?

We believe it’s a kind of magic. Each performance, workshop, or group is an opportunity to experience something new. Buying a ticket or joining a class might mean an opportunity to connect with friends, or spend time with a loved one. It might mean exploring a subject new to you, or walking in someone else’s shoes through the power of storytelling. It could mean belly laughing in the comforting darkness of the auditorium or silently weeping tears of empathy.

Your ticket may give you a glorious escape for a couple of hours or it could be a doorway into something you’ve never experienced before. Yes, theatre is a kind of magic and that’s what we deliver. Without your support, we couldn’t continue the delicate balancing act of art and business. Our Friends and Sponsors make generous contributions because they believe in what we’re doing. We’d like you to believe in it too and we’d welcome your support. There are many ways you can be part of our story – just look through this brochure and we’ll show you how.

Thank you for returning to the Mercury so wholeheartedly in this last year. We’ll continue to create the magic. All you have to do is come and experience it.

Steve Mannix Executive Director

2

Tracey Childs Executive Producer

Ryan McBryde Creative Director

Theatre

The Comedy of Errors Fri 13 May-Sat 28 May

In Shakespeare’s screwball comedy, two sets of twins separated at birth unwittingly find themselves in the same city on the same day, leading to a string of mistaken identities and chaotic mishaps.

Set at the decadent Hotel Ephesus in the roaring 20’s, our wild, whirling production of the bard’s first and funniest farce is packed to the rafters with puns, slapstick and gags galore.

Comedy Evenings 7.30pm Thu, Sat matinees 2.30pm Sun matinees 3pm £15-£30 Concessions available

Directed by our very own Ryan McBryde (Aladdin, Baskerville), featuring vintage pop tunes performed by a raucous band of actor-musicians, The Comedy of Errors is the perfect way to celebrate 50 years of the Mercury Theatre – and, promises to be a hilarious night out for the whole family.

RP

Tue 24 May

7.30pm

Post-show Q&A

Thu 26 May

2.30pm

Relaxed

CAP

Fri 27 May

7.30pm

Captioned

TT

Sat 28 May

1pm

Touch Tour

AD

Sat 28 May

2.30pm

Audio Described 3

Theatre

Dinosaur World Live

Family

11.30am & 2.30pm | £14, Discounts available for groups of 10+ | 3+ Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this ‘roarsome’ interactive show for all the family.

Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus, and every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Book now before tickets become extinct!

‘A spectacular interactive show!’ ★★★★ OK! Magazine ‘The perfect family show. Educational and entertaining’ ★★★★ The Reviews Hub

Fri 3-Sun 5 Jun

A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.

Stewart Lee: Snowflake/Tornado

Comedy

7.30pm | £18-£26 | 14+ Two 60-minute sets, Snowflake looks at the Covid-Brexit era and Tornado questions Stew’s position in the comedy marketplace after Netflix mistakenly listed his show as ‘reports of sharks falling from the skies are on the rise again. Nobody on the Eastern Seaboard is safe.’

Tue 7-Wed 8 Jun

‘The world’s best living stand-up comedian’ Dominic Maxwell, The Times

Into the Groove

Presented by John Mackay in association with Debi Allen/ Curtis Brown.

Music

7.30pm | £19-£28.50 Strike a pose and get up on the dance floor, it’s time to open your heart as we’ve got the key!

Join us for an incredible night, as we cherish the love and celebrate the incredible career of the best-selling female artist of all time... Madonna!

Thu 9 Jun 4

This is a tribute show and is in no way affiliated with any original artists/estates/management companies or similar shows.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Tue 21-Sat 25 Jun

Drama

Jim Cartwright’s Olivier award-winning comedy-drama The Rise & Fall of Little Voice is embarking on a UK tour this year.

Evenings 7.30pm Thu, Sat matinee 2.30pm

Starring TV favourite Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, Dinnerladies, Loose Women), British soap royalty Ian Kelsey (Emmerdale, Casualty) and two-time Drama Desk award nominee Christina Bianco, as Little Voice.

£15-£33.50 Concessions available 12+

With humour, heart and countless powerhouse ballads all performed live on stage, including music from Judy Garland and Shirley Bassey, Cartwright’s iconic Northern fairy-tale explores the highs and the lows of small-town dreams, family rivalry and finding your voice in a noisy world.

5

Theatre

FASCINATING AÏDA

Music/Comedy

7.30pm | £18-£26 | 14+ Dillie Keane, Adèle Anderson and Liza Pulman on tour with a selection of old favourites, songs you haven’t heard before and some you wish you’d never heard in the first place. The songs are hilarious and topical - the glamour is unstoppable.

Fri 10-Sat 11 Jun

‘Outrageous... seductive’ ★★★★ The Guardian ‘Hilarious’ ★★★★ The Telegraph ‘I can’t recommend this show highly enough’ ★★★★★ Mail on Sunday Presented by John Mackay

Zog and the Flying Doctors FRECKLE PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROSE THEATRE PRESENTS

Family

See diary for showtimes | Adult £16.50, Child £14.50 | All ages Based on the book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler.

Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a bang-crash-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress!

LIVE ON ST AG E

BASED ON THE BOOK BY

MUSIC & LYRICS BY JOE STILGOE · ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY EMMA KILBEY

With a bit of help from some friends and half a pound of cheese, can Pearl make her uncle better and prove princesses can be doctors too? © Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Sat 11-Sun 12 Jun An Evening Out with Andy Hamilton

Comedy

7.30pm | £21.50 | 16+ Following two years of cancelled shows, zoom quizzes and nose-swabs, award-winning writer and comedian Andy Hamilton is delighted to be getting out of the house, touring with his new one-man show.

Wed 13 Jul 6

In an evening of comic reflection, reminiscence and revelation, Andy will look back over his sixty-ish years on the planet and try to answer some questions. Expect a hilarious and illuminating night out, yes out, with a master of comedy.

Mike McCarthy in association with Tin Cat Entertainment

Theatre

Music

Hello Again – A Tribute to Neil Diamond 7.30pm | £28.50 | All ages

The world’s greatest celebration of the life & work of Neil Diamond... Evocative imagery, video and narration enhance the magic, as the show takes you on a musical journey through Neil Diamond’s glittering 50-year career. From The Bang Years to the present day you’ll soon be singing along to all the hits including Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rosie, Forever in Blue Jeans and many more.

Thu 14 Jul

‘Close your eyes and you could be in the presence of one Neil Leslie Diamond’ ★★★★★ Nottingham Post Music

Colchester Military Wives Choir 10 Year Anniversary 7.45pm | £16.50 | All ages

Fri 15 Jul

The Colchester Military Wives Choir have enjoyed many sell out concerts at the Mercury Theatre, so it was the perfect decision to be back celebrating their 10-year anniversary. They are excited to present to you an evening packed full of their favourite songs, with some old and some new. To mark this special occasion, the choir will be bringing together members from far and wide to perform their signature song.

Family

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show See diary for showtimes | Adult £15.50, Child £13.50 | 6+ months

Four timeless stories brought to life in one show.

Dive into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from page to stage using a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and charming music. Featuring your favourite titles: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect introduction to live theatre.

‘Beautiful, rhythmic. A Triumph’ ★★★★★ Time Out

Wed 20-Thu 21 Jul

‘Charming and ingenious’ ★★★★ The Stage

‘Colourful, charming, perfect for children’ ★★★★ London Theatre 7

8

Theatre A Mercury Production

Alice in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll. Adapted for the stage by Mike Kenny.

Music by Ivan Stott.

Fri 29 Jul-Sun 14 Aug Alice is under a lot of pressure. She’s anxiously about to sit an exam, when she accidentally falls down a rabbit hole and plunges into the magical world of Wonderland. There, she encounters some of the strangest and most peculiar creatures she’s ever met, including a very bossy White Rabbit, a Cheshire Cat who can’t stop grinning and a Mad Hatter who’s, well, mad!

Can Alice defeat the formidable Queen of Hearts and get back home in time to finish her test?

Family See show diary for full performance schedule Prices from £15 Concessions available

Olivier award-winning playwright Mike Kenny has reimagined Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic for the stage. This promises to be an evening of mirth, music and mayhem - fun for all the family!

Director Emma Earle Designer Anisha Fields Movement Director Dan Canham

RP

Tue 9 Aug

7.30pm

Post-show Q&A

Wed 10 Aug

2.30pm

Relaxed

TT

Thu 11 Aug

1pm

Touch Tour

AD

Thu 11 Aug

2.30pm

Audio Described

CAP

Fri 12 Aug

7.30pm

Captioned

Mad Hatter’s Family Tea Party Bring your whole family to our immersive family-friendly Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Create your own hat to wear and you’ll be joined by different characters from the Alice in Wonderland story who will ensure you have the maddest time. Combine this with tickets to see the show for a truly great day out!

Sat 30 Jul 2022

Workshop 1 11am-12.30pm Workshop 2 1.30pm-3pm Workshop 3 3.30pm-5pm £10 per person (includes a light bite to eat) 9

Theatre

Viva Burlesque!

Burlesque

7.30pm | £18.50-£25 | 18+ (Adult themes, partial nudity, VERY strong language)

Fri 22 Jul & Fri 23 Sep

Featuring top burlesque beauties Vicky Butterfly, Felicity Furore, Cherry Shakewell and Jeanie Wishes this riotous and raunchy ride of your life returns for a brand-new residency. Not for the easily offended, this smouldering cabaret is hosted by Carli Norris (EastEnders) and Antony Stuart-Hicks (Mercury Dame) with special guest Craig Mather (Les Misérables). Buckle up and book now – it’s the hottest ticket in town. Do it!

The Sound of Springsteen

Music

7.30pm | £28 With a passion for the work of The Boss the eight-piece tribute The Sound Of Springsteen bring their years of live performances and recording to rock you with Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits and deep cuts. With songs like Born In The USA, Glory Days, Streets of Philadelphia and many more, this is a night of passion for Springsteen, and we are back for our second year of touring, bigger and better.

Sat 23 Jul Think Floyd

Music

8pm | £26.50-£31.50 Think Floyd return to the Mercury with a brand-new show for 2022 featuring the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, Meddle and much more. Backed by an impressive laser light show, this exciting production will faithfully recreate the atmosphere, visual magnitude and musical excellence of Pink Floyd live on stage.

Thu 18 Aug

‘Brilliant! - They are really good.’ Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason Presented by Sweeney Entertainments and LP Music

Lost in Music - One Night at the Disco

Music

8pm | £27.50-£31.50 Join us as we recreate the magical 70s taking you on a musical journey straight to the heart of disco.

Relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists including Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic.

Fri 19 Aug 10

The feel-good show of the year. Lose yourself with us and leave your troubles at home!

Theatre

Cirque – The Greatest Show

Variety

7.30pm | £21-£22.50, Concessions £18 Direct from their international tour and recent performance for the Royal Family, Cirque: The Greatest Show invites you to ‘roll up’ and see this unique circus concert brought to life by West End performers and world-class acrobats.

Sat 20 Aug

Featuring hit songs from popular movie musicals such as The Greatest Showman and Moulin Rouge and mesmerising specialist artistes such as aerialists, contortionists, trapeze and fire-eaters, this award-winning musical masterpiece is a hit for audiences both old and young.

Musical Fame The Musical Colchester Operatic Society CO2

10% discount if you buy Shrek and Fame together See diary for showtimes | £14-£21 | 12+ Ever wondered what happens at a performing arts school? Fame The Musical follows a group of students from their first lesson at New York’s High School for Performing Arts to their graduation. Watch the students’ relationships unfurl and their struggles with the challenges that a successful career in show business presents. Who will make the grade and have the perseverance to achieve ‘Fame’? With songs such as Let’s Play a Love Scene, Mabel’s Prayer and of course Fame!

Conceived and developed by David De Silva Book by Jose Fernandez Lyrics by Jacques Levy Music by Steve Margoshes Title song Fame written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore

Thu 8-Sun 18 Sep Friendsical

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Musical

7.30pm | £23.50

Wed 21-Thu 22 Sep

An original new parody musical inspired by the TV show Friends.

When Ross’s wife leaves him for another woman, he fears he will never find love again. But then Rachel runs back into his life...

With original new songs such as (He’s her) Lobster!, Richard’s Moustache and You’re Over Me, When Were You Under Me?, the gang take on naked Thursdays, a power cut and a dinosaur convention! What could possibly go wrong? Friendsical will feature a surprise guest star!

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FROM THE TEAM BEHIND

BY

HENRY SHIELDS

12

Theatre

World Premiere Mercury and Wiltshire Creative present the Mischief Production, by arrangement with Kenny Wax Ltd and Stager Presence Ltd.

Good Luck, Studio Fri 30 Sep-Sat 15 Oct It’s the final night of recording Wibble the Dragon. The show is massively over budget and under written. With one hour left to film 16 pages and an audience of children getting more and more impatient, the cast and crew know big cuddly heads are going to roll.

The last thing anyone needs is a failed actor showing up with a sinister vendetta and his own dragon costume. In this adult take on a kids’ TV show more than just careers will die.

Comedy Drama See show diary for full performance schedule Prices from £15 Concessions available 14+

Good Luck, Studio is a new dark comedy from the awardwinning theatre company Mischief, written by Henry Shields and directed by Henry Lewis.

Tue 11 Oct

7.30pm

Post-show Q&A

RP

Thu 13 Oct

2.30pm

Relaxed

CAP

Fri 14 Oct

7.30pm

Captioned

TT

Sat 15 Oct

1pm

Touch Tour

AD

Sat 15 Oct

2.30pm

Audio Described

Adopt a Seat We can’t promise your name in lights, but the next best thing is to adopt a seat in our newly refurbished auditorium. Whether it’s a favourite quote, a present for a theatre lover or to honour a loved one, add a custom plaque to a favourite seat today.

Pay through monthly instalments of £20* or a one-time payment of £475.

Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/adopt or speak to a member of our team to find out more. *£20 a month for 24 months, totalling £480.

Plaques remain in place for a minimum of 10 years.

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Theatre

An Evening with Michael Portillo

Talk

7.30pm | £20, Group discounts available It took Michael Portillo little more than 10 years to get a seat in the Commons and then rise in power and esteem to a point where he was a possible future PM. Since losing his seat in May 1997 he has since reinvented and endeared himself to many with his respect for the workmanship found in the great railways of the world, and their effect on the daily lives of people.

Listen to his story, told with a ‘parliamentary stand-up’ wit and question him about it.

Wed 19 Oct 101 PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

THE KAYDEN GLAMOURISTS BLACK

JAMIE OLIVER JAMES & RAVEN TABOR DYLAN PIPER

Illusion Impossible

Magic

7.30pm | £15-£25 Showcasing some of the most incredible Illusionists in the world including: Britain’s Got Talent runner up Jamie Raven, Britain’s Got Talent 2020 finalists James & Dylan Piper, award-winning magician Oliver Tabor, highly acclaimed magical duo The Glamourists and World speed illusionist Kayden Black.

INCLUDES

BRITAIN’S ENT GOT TAL STARS! FEATURING

WORLD CLASS ILLUSIONISTS IN ONE EXPLOSIVE SHOW! illusionimpossible

Fri 21 Oct www.illusionimpossible.co.uk

illusionimpossibletour

These world-class artists have over 500 million YouTube views between them – now together on stage for the very first time.

Breath-taking magic and heart-stopping illusions in this impossibly brilliant live spectacular, with an explosive finale!

Vincent Simone Tango Passions

Dance

7.30pm | £34-£37, £70 VIP tickets

Sat 22 Oct

Argentine Tango King and Strictly Come Dancing legend, Vincent Simone, returns with his brand new show… Tango Passions. Argentine Tango specialist Paula Duarte stars as his leading lady. Accompanied by world-class Argentine Tango dancers, the original Italian stallion takes you to Buenos Aires to enjoy dancing, tales and poetry about the history of the Argentine Tango. Featuring music from Astor Piazzolla and Gotan Project. A sexy, steamy, passionate night not to be missed!

An Audience with Adam Frost

Talk

3pm | £29.50 | 14+

Sun 23 Oct 14

Spend an evening with award-winning British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, as he shares advice and amusing stories from a lifetime in the garden. Best known for his successes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Adam will explore how his love for the great outdoors started from a young age when he helped on his grandparent’s allotment.

Enlightening and engaging, this event promises to leave you eager to head home and get your gardening gloves on.

Theatre

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

Family

10am, 1pm & 4pm | Adult £17.50, U16 £15.50, Discounts available Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Get ready for a roadtrip full of fun adventures. From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice creams - there’s something for all the family to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more!

Wed 26-Thu 27 Oct

Packed full of songs, games and laughter, this brand new live show really is the best day ever for Peppa Pig fans!

Crimes on Centre Court

Comedy/Drama

7.30pm | £16.50-£25 | 12+ Murder and mayhem with a side of tennis, from the critically acclaimed comedy company New Old Friends. Lord Knows, the chair of Whombledun Invitational International Tennis Tournament has died and his son, Hugh, is suspicious.

Fri 28 Oct

A cast of four performers play countless characters with quickfire changes and quicker wits. Crimes on Centre Court, based on a story from the award-winning podcast (#2 in iTunes fiction chart) serves up a summertime treat sweeter than strawberries and cream.

A Century of Swing

Music

7.30pm | £20-£25 A spectacular show of swing and big band music with Down for the Count, as they bring the sounds of the swing era back to life for ‘one hellova celebration of vintage music’ TimeOut London.

Wed 2 Nov

Enjoy the vintage sounds of the legendary Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong from the band’s stunning instrumentalists and vocalists as they take you on a high-energy journey through the history of swing music.

‘Awesome!!!’ Michael Bublé

My Dear Old Things: An Evening with Henry Blofeld

Talk

7.30pm | £20-£25

Thu 3 Nov

With hysterical tales of Johnners, Arlott and other larger-thanlife personalities from the TMS box, this show includes film and rare personal photos. Blowers looks back at his amazing commentary career and recalls some new and hilarious stories of exotic experiences and colourful characters from the four week trip to his beloved India in the BBC’s hit series The Real Marigold Hotel. My Dear Old Things is an absolute treat for the cricket connoisseur and a wonderfully engaging evening for all.

15

Theatre

Electrik Live Orchestra

Music

7.30pm | £23-£26 Electrik Live Orchestra come to the Mercury for the first time, a full band with orchestra section playing the greatest hits of ELO live! Expect a truly remarkable two hour show to get you on your feet!

Fri 4 Nov An Evening of Magic with Richard Jones

Magic

7.30pm | £20-£24.50, Discounts and concessions available VIP tickets available - see website

Sat 5 Nov

Imagine being part of an exclusive audience lucky to witness more than just a magic show! Richard Jones rose to fame as the only magician ever to win Britain’s Got Talent and has since won the prestigious Gold Star accolade within the Inner Magic Circle, the highest honour in The Magic Circle. Known as The Military Illusionist he represents the very best in cutting edge magic, mind-reading and psychological illusion.

A unique experience you will never forget!

Kaleidoscope, featuring Tom Poster and Elena Urioste

Music

7.30pm | £15-£25 Roman River presents a captivating evening of music with one of the most exciting classical groups around at the moment.

Romantic music by George Walker and Florence Price, with Dvořák’s melodious piano quintet as an uplifting finale.

Tue 8 Nov

Elena Urioste & Melissa White violins, Rosalind Ventris viola, Laura van der Heijden cello, Tom Poster piano.

Dr Richard Shepherd – Unnatural Causes

Talk

7.30pm | £26.50 | 16+

Fri 11 Nov 16

Meet the forensic pathologist and author of the best-seller Unnatural Causes, Dr Richard Shepherd, who has performed over 23,000 autopsies including some of the most high-profile cases of recent times; the Hungerford Massacre, the Princess Diana inquiry and 9/11. He has faced serial killers, natural disaster, ‘perfect murders’ and freak accidents. His evidence has put killers behind bars, freed the innocent and turned openand-shut cases on their heads. Unnatural Causes promises to be an utterly fascinating evening.

Theatre

An Evening with Sir Geoff Hurst

Talk

7.30pm | £31, £66.50 VIP tickets Back by popular demand after his successful 2019 tour, Sir Geoff Hurst will talk amusingly about his illustrious West Ham and England career. His great friend and agent Terry Baker from A1 Sporting speakers will once again be asking the questions. The second half will be a Q & A session with the audience. A great evening for all football fans!

Sat 12 Nov

VIP tickets include a photo opportunity with Sir Geoff and the FA cup.

Theatre Tours Step behind the scenes to discover the backstage secrets of what makes a spectacular Mercury Production. Find out how the magic happens when you visit the rehearsal room, take a sneaky peek into wardrobe and see how the sets are made in our enormous workshop. Make it a really special day by ending in the café bar with a delicious afternoon tea and bubbles. Combine a tour with a cream tea and a gift voucher as the perfect gift for a theatre lover.

Tour dates Tue 16 Aug 11am Fri 2 Sep 11am Fri 7 Oct 11am Sat 29 Oct 4pm Sat 12 Nov 11am

Prices Tour £10 Tour and Cream Tea £15 Tour and Afternoon Tea £25

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18

Theatre A Mercury Production

Beauty and the Beast Sat 26 Nov-Sun 15 Jan

Panto

Join us this Christmas for our magical Mercury panto, Beauty and the Beast!

See diary for full performance schedule

It’s a tale as old as time and a panto that will be unmissable for the whole family. Discover what it takes for true love to conquer all and whether love is all you really need?

Prices from £15 Concessions available

The mysterious Beast imprisons beautiful Belle in his enchanted castle. Can she escape with the help of her family and melt Beast’s icy heart before it’s too late? Will Cupid’s plan work before the last rose petal falls?

Please note that performances on 10, 11, 12, 13 January are strictly 18+

Leading our talented cast in this delicious treat are pantomime royalty, Antony Stuart Hicks and Dale Superville. Written by Andrew Pollard (Aladdin, Cinderella) and directed by the Olivier award-winning Donnacadh O’Briain.

Come to the Mercury this Christmas and fall in love all over again!

Designer Jasmine Swan Lighting Designer Ben Ormerod Musical Director Paul Herbert

Dale Superville

Fri 9 Dec

7pm

BSL Interpretation

RP

Tue 13 Dec

10.15am

Relaxed

CAP

Fri 6 Jan

7pm

Captioned

TT

Sat 7 Jan

12.30pm

Touch Tour

AD

Sat 7 Jan

2pm

Audio Described

Sun 8 Jan

12pm

Relaxed, BSL Interpretation

18+

Tue 10 Jan

7.30pm

Adults only

18+

Wed 11 Jan

7.30pm

Adults only

18+

Thu 12 Jan

7.30pm

Adults only

18+

Fri 13 Jan

7.30pm

Adults only

RP

Antony Stuart-Hicks

19

Theatre

Shrek - Colchester Operatic Society

Musical

10% discount if you buy Shrek and Fame together See diary for show times | £14.50-£21.50 Fresh from their acclaimed production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, COS brings Shrek the Musical to Mercury audiences for the first time.

Come and join short-tempered but goodnatured ogre, Shrek, on the adventure of a lifetime! With the help of a hilarious talking donkey, Shrek sets off to rescue Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon, so she can marry ruthless Lord Farquaad - but will it all go to plan?

Featuring the iconic I’m a Believer plus many more show-stopping songs, Shrek the Musical is sure to have your toes tapping and your heart soaring!

Thu 26 Jan-Sat 4 Feb

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe.

Charlie and Stan

Drama

2.30pm & 7.30pm | £15-£30 In 1910, the then unknown Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel set sail from Southampton to New York as part of Fred Karno’s famous music hall troupe. They shared a cabin, they shared comedy routines and by the end of the journey they had drifted apart… but they would both go on to become two of the biggest stars of the age.

Inspired by real life events, Told by an Idiot’s Charlie & Stan is a hilarious and moving homage to two men who changed the world of comedy forever.

‘Hilarious... A riotous masterclass in storytelling’ ★★★★★ WhatsOnStage ‘seldom less than magical’ ★★★★ Guardian A Told by an Idiot production.

Tue 07-Sat 11 Feb 20

Originally produced by Told by an Idiot and Theatre Royal Plymouth with Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Unity Theatre, Liverpool and co-commissioned by London International Mime Festival.

Theatre

Music

Roman River presents The London Mozart Players 7.30pm | £15-£25

Orlando Jopling conducts the world-renowned London Mozart Players in their first visit to Colchester, in a popular orchestral programme of Mendelssohn, Mozart and Britten, with celebrated tenor James Gilchrist and the sensational young horn player Ben Goldscheider.

Thu 16 Feb

Presented by Roman River.

Comedy Club On The Road

Comedy

7.30pm | £20-£25 | 16+ The Comedy Club As Seen on TV returns. Don’t miss it!

Celebrating 27 years of bringing laughter to life across the globe!

They have hand picked four headline comedians and brought them together for you in one full show! Be prepared, get buckled up and get ready for one of the funniest nights of your life! Let’s have a night of pure comedy & non-stop laughs.

Fri 17 Feb

Full line up can be seen at thecomedyclub.co.uk

From Gold to Rio - The Greatest Hits of Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran

Music

7.30pm | £21-£23 The Greatest Hits of Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran

Sat 18 Feb

Two of the UK’s most iconic bands will be brought to life in one power packed show. With over 20 Top-10 hits the show will feature two hours of non-stop classics including Gold, Rio, True, The Reflex, to name a few and guaranteed to leave the audience shouting for more. So, if you’re a Duranie, a Spandie, a Wild Boy or a Soul Boy, this is something you don’t want to miss!

Run Rebel By Manjeet Mann

Drama

See diary for performance schedule | £15-£33.50 | 11+ Amber is trapped by her family’s rules and expectations. But on the running track she is completely free. As her body speeds up, the world slows down. And the tangled lines in her head get straighter…Combining physical theatre and mesmerising visuals this promises to be another landmark co-production made especially for audiences of 11+.

Fri 24 Feb-Sat 4 Mar

Presented by Pilot Theatre and co-produced with Mercury, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Derby Theatre and York Theatre Royal.

21

Studio

A Mercury Original in association with Wildcard

Evelyn

See diary for full performance schedule £17.50, Previews 1 & 2 Jun £10

Wed 1-Sat 11 Jun

14+

Drama There are a few things that we know about Evelyn: we know what she did, we know that we hate her and we know that she’s still out there. Somewhere. She’s just not Evelyn anymore. She could be anyone. Even you.

Britain is on the hunt, it has been for years.

Walton is on high alert… and Sandra’s just arrived.

Inspired by real life events, Evelyn is a story of mob justice in modern day Britain that interrogates the question: when is justice really served?

22

Starring legend of stage and screen Rula Lenska, the premise of Evelyn saw writer Tom Ratcliffe shortlisted for the 2016 intake of the Old Vic 12 before the play reached the long-list of 27 plays for the 2017 Verity Bargate Award. The play has also been long-listed for the Papatango New Writing Prize and the Theatre503 Playwriting Award.

Cast includes Rula Lenska, Offue Okegbe, Yvette Boakye and Nicola Harrison.

Wed 8 Jun

8pm

Post-show Q&A

Studio

Drama Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan 7:30pm & 2pm | £17.50 | 14+ A Brixton House production presented with HighTide, in association with Mercury Theatre.

Inspired by a true story of Afghanistan’s first youth music TV programme, Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan explores the devastating effects as two young friends take on the political landscape while trying to build a new Afghanistan. Kabul Goes Pop takes us back to a world just post the US invasion that is complex, contradictory and shocking – all to a soundtrack of the early 00’s pop of the era!

Writer Waleed Akhtar (Mercury Playwrights alumni) Director Anna Himali Howard Thu 16 Jun

7.30pm

Post-show Q&A

Wed 15-Sat 18 Jun Offside

Drama

By Sabrina Mahfouz and Hollie McNish 8pm | £12.50 | 14+

Tue 21-Wed 22 Jun

Four women from across the centuries live, breathe, and play football. Whilst each of them face very different obstacles, the possibility that the beautiful game will change their lives – and the world – is tantalisingly close. With punchy storytelling, lyrical poetry and dynamic physicality, Offside places the audiences right on the touchline of the game of a lifetime.

‘An engaging, enthralling watch’ ★★★★ WhatsOnStage

Apple ‘N’ Spice

Family

11am & 2pm | £13.50 | 3+ Introduce your children to Indian storytelling, dance and shadow puppetry with Apple ‘N’ Spice, an original, interactive and multi-cultural dance performance. This intriguing new fairy tale tells the story of two stepmothers; one from the East and one from the West. Watch the plot thicken as their stories entwine. Then join the cast on stage for an Indian party to remember.

Sun 26 Jun 23

Studio

Speaking Out and Fitting In!

Variety

7.30pm | £12.50 | 13+ ‘Don’t let the world put you in a box, but do reserve the right to make an exhibition of yourself!’ Alice d’Lumiere

Thu 30 Jun

Striking performance poetry, disarming comedy and a celebration of gender fluidity from a part-time trans woman playfully establishing her voice. A solo show with flashes of cabaret and aerial burlesque, this is a piece about how delightfully queer life can be when you decide to step beyond your birth gender. Warning! This show may contain stockinged legs and trochaic feet! Presented by Truelove Tours.

Hundred Watt Club

Burlesque

8pm or 8.30pm | £16.50 | 18+

Fri 1 Jul, Fri 18 Nov & Fri 3 Mar

After sell-out shows, Hundred Watt Club returns for an intimate, vintage-inspired, champagne-popping evening of burlesque.

Let your hair down and enjoy a good old fashioned, glittering line up of showgirls, circus, drag and comedy, all wrapped up with a feisty, tongue-in-cheek ribbon. Glamorous, vintage attire is encouraged but not essential; wear what you’re comfy in. Full, glittering line up to be revealed soon!

Errol’s Garden

Family

11am | Child 2+ £12, Adult £6 | 3+ ‘I wish I could have a garden of my own, but all I see out there is concrete and pavement and more concrete...’ Errol lives in a block of flats but is determined to make his own garden!

An interactive musical for audiences aged 3-11 and their grownups, filled with catchy songs, big ideas and a passion for plants.

Sat 2 Jul SOLD

Drama

7.30pm | £13.50 | 12+

Wed 6 Jul 24

When one woman tells of her extraordinary journey to overcome the brutality of slavery, she becomes a beacon for the British anti-slavery movement. Born into slavery in the British colony of Bermuda, Mary Prince went on to become an autobiographer and champion of freedom. Her book had an electrifying effect on the abolitionist movement helping to free many Africans in bondage. Written by Amantha Edmead and told through theatre, song, live drumming and dance, inspired by the storytelling traditions of the West African Griot.

Studio

We Are Not Shellfish

Family

11am | £13.50 | 7+ What would you do if you found a message in a bottle... from a child in the Calais Jungle? Imaginative storytelling with puppets and mask. Perfect for families with young people and teenagers as a vivid and engaging way of opening discussions about the environment, the refugee crisis and political action.

Sun 10 Jul

‘Funny, subversive, deeply philosophical and beautiful.

Highly recommended’ Fringe Review ‘Heartfelt anarchic theatre at its best’ Queer Puppets Cabaret

The Skinny Jean Gardener Show

Family

11am & 2pm | Adult £4.50, Child in seat (2+) £10.50, Adult with Child on lap (Under 2) £9 | 2+

Sun 31 Jul

Lee Connelly (as seen on CBBC Blue Peter, BBC Teach and author of How to get Kids Gardening) brings you the biggest Gardening Entertainment Show in the world. Learn how to GYO, look after wildlife and have fun in the garden, as Lee gives you makes and ideas while playing game-show styled games to give you the chance to win prizes. Like no other gardening show you’ve seen before. Fun for all the family!

Every child gets a free gardening goody bag!

Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me

Drama

8pm | £16.50 | 14+ People would ask me if I could have sex and I’d feign shock and act wildly offended whilst secretly wanting to grab them by the shoulders and be like “I don’t know, Janet!”

Juno was born with spina bifida and is now clumsily navigating her twenties amidst street healers, love, loneliness and the feeling of being an unfinished project.

Thurs 22-Sat 24 Sep

Winner of The Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2020, Amy Trigg’s remarkable debut play is a hilarious, heart-warming tale about how s**t our wonderful lives can be.

Time and Tide

Drama

8pm | £15, £13 concessions | 14+

Sat 1 Oct

May runs a crumbling caff on the end of Cromer Pier. Her delivery man, Ken, is running out of customers, thanks to Costa. Nemo is desperate to tread the boards in London.

His unrequited love, Daz, is burying his head in the sand over his best mate leaving. An LGBT comic drama about a Norfolk community struggling with change, written by James McDermott, Time and Tide has been nominated and shortlisted for numerous awards.

Presented by Relish Theatre and Norwich Theatre 25

Studio

A Mercury Original Coming Soon

Cowboy By Matt Gurr ‘And as much as I try and scrub it out to love in the right way I can’t get rid of all these all these things I feel.’

Drama

All Ellis wants is to be free. Free from the shame he feels about his sexuality, free from the judgement of those around him and free to embark into adulthood, happy with the person he is. Through Dr. Fay’s severe methods, Ellis might finally have found a way to achieve this. But on his surreal journey to get the life he has grown up wanting, Ellis finds himself caught in a fight between self-destruction and self-acceptance.

Cowboy is an urgent and fantastical new play from writer Matt Gurr (Mercury Playwrights alumni), directed by Robbie Taylor Hunt (Mercury Directors alumni), about growing up gay and the desperate quest for happiness.

This will be a Co-production with Harlow Playhouse.

26

Studio

Colchester Fringe

Festival

More details coming soon The most innovative and intriguing new festival in Colchester is back in 2022 and we’ll be hosting some fantastic events in our studio. We’ll post news on our website nearer the time. Sign up to our newsletter so you don’t miss out!

Thu 20-Sun 23 Oct I Am (Not) Kanye West

Drama

7.30pm | £13.50 | 12+ Tash is a simple girl. She’s Black. She’s Queer. She’s a woman.

But in the world of university and ‘identity politics’, suddenly she’s anything but simple. She’s powerful.

With student union elections looming, Tash ticks all the boxes to take her to the top. She just needs confidence. If only there were an enigmatic cultural figure she could turn to…

Thu 27 Oct

A ‘vibrant, powerful and hilarious’ solo show questioning what we’re willing to lose in order to win.

Destiny

Drama

7.30pm | £13 | 14+ ‘They’re sayin I brought it on myself. Basically it must’ve been my fault cause I’m me, Destiny.’ Destiny dreams big. She dreams glamour. She’s gonna be an MTV Base backing dancer, you watch. This monologue follows the story of a teenage girl growing up on a rural Wiltshire council estate. After a big night out takes a turn for the worst, Destiny’s life spirals out of control as she desperately tries to learn how to love and be loved.

Tue 15 Nov

‘Captivating solo show’ ★★★★ Guardian

Mig and the Beanstalk

Floristry

7.30pm | £15 | 12+

Thu 17 Nov

Multi award-winning floral designer Mig Kimpton returns with a brand new floral show this winter. Mig combines his theatrical past with his extensive experience of working with flowers, to provide an evening of fun and wintery thrills. Watch him create from scratch, stunning floral designs fit for any and every home.

This year’s tall tale involves beans, a phone call and some help from his audience. As always you might win one of his exquisite designs to take home...

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Studio

The Chronicles of Atom and Luna

Famliy

Sat 19 Nov 11am & Sun 20 Nov 1pm Child £12, Adult with baby on lap £10.50, Adult £6 | All ages Murray Lachlan Young’s epic tale for families.

Our heroes Atom and Luna must seek out the mysterious Old Mother Redbeard, to save their larger-than-life childminder Iffly Sney. To do so they will journey deep into a magical forest and go on a life changing adventure.

Created by BBC 6 Music’s poet in residence and children’s author Murray Lachlan Young.

Presented by Funnelwick Limb in association with Action Transport Theatre and Eastern Angles.

Sat 19 Nov-Sun 20 Nov

Donate Today!

We are blown away by your support.

Always. If it wasn’t for the generosity of our audiences, our new building would not be open today.

Although it may now seem like showbusiness as usual, as a registered charity we continue to rely on your donations to help support 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!

If you would like to donate, please scan the QR code to visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/donate or text MERCURY to 70085 to give £5*. You can also donate via contactless in our café bar. *Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.

28

Studio

Pinocchio

See diary for full performance schedule

Wed 7 Dec-Sat 31 Dec

Prices start from £6 (Adult) to £12 (Child) 3+ Famliy

Filled with music, dancing and plenty of chances to join in, this retelling of the classic tale is packed with fun and surprises.

Will he become a real boy? Or can Pinocchio – and the world around him – learn to accept this puppet boy for who he really is?

When Pinocchio discovers that he’s a puppet and not a human, he sets off on an exciting adventure with his trusty sidekick Cricket to find the magic potion that will transform him into a real boy. As he travels the land in search of the potion, Pinocchio meets a whole host of larger-than-life characters. The only trouble is, each teeny-tiny lie he tells makes his wooden nose grow longer! And before he knows it, Pinocchio’s on the run from a fairground master who wants to throw him onto the woodpile.

Perfect for ages 3-8, enter Pinocchio’s magic world and make lasting memories with your little ones this Christmas.

‘An all out absolute winner... What a superbly magical way to introduce small children to the glory that is children’s theatre and an important life story about inclusivity, love and self-worth.’ ★★★★★ East Midlands Theatre RP

Tue 13 Dec

1.15pm

Relaxed

RP

Thu 22 Dec

10.30am

Relaxed 29

18+ Join us for a whole host of exciting after-hours events including cabaret, jazz, comedy and more, all performed by up and coming entertainers. Check our website for the latest info and additional Lates dates.

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LATES DIARY Date

Time

Show

Location

Price

Sat 4 Jun

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Sat 18 Jun

9pm

90s Silent Disco

Café Bar

£8

Fri 24 Jun

8pm

Comedy Night – Fringe Preview

Studio

£13

Sat 9 Jul

9pm

West End Live

Café Bar

Free

Sat 16 Jul

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Fri 22 Jul

8pm

Comedy Night – Fringe Preview

Studio

£13

Sat 30 Jul

9pm

Mad Hatters Tea Party (for grown ups)

Café Bar

Free

Sat 6 Aug

9.30pm

Band Night: Sealionwoman

Café Bar

Free

Sat 13 Aug

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Sat 17 Sep

9.30pm

Sing-a-long

Cafe Bar

Free

Sat 24 Sep

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Fri 30 Sep

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

Studio

£13

Fri 7 Oct

9pm

Celebration Of Black History Month

Café Bar

Free

Sat 15 Oct

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Sat 22 Oct

9pm

Colchester Fringe

Cafe Bar

Free

Fri 28 Oct

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

Studio

£13

Fri 4 Nov

8pm

Northern Soul Night

Café Bar

Free

Fri 25 Nov

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

Studio

£13

Thu 1 Dec

7pm

World AIDS Day Event

Café Bar

Free

Sat 3 Dec

9pm

Band Night: Ben Brown

Café Bar

Free

Sat 10 Dec

9.30pm

MYC Night

Café Bar

Free

Sat 17 Dec

9.30pm

The Christmas Carol Experience

Café Bar

Free

Sat 14 Jan

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Sat 4 Feb

9.30pm

Sing-a-long

Cafe Bar

Free

Fri 10 Feb

8pm

Rev Simpkins

Studio

£10

Sat 18 Feb

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

Sat 11 Mar

9pm

West End Live

Café Bar

Free

Sat 18 Mar

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret

Café Bar

Free

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Connects is our artist membership scheme for East-based arts professionals looking to make contacts, share ideas, brainstorm, collaborate, develop their careers, promote their work and chat to like-minded people. It’s free to sign up on our website (Taking Part – Artists) and you’ll have access to a range of events such as the ones below. For full details of each event, please go to our website.

Evelyn Pre-show Q&A with Tom Ratcliffe and Metal Rabbit Thu 2 Jun 2022 | 6.30-7.30pm | Upstairs Bar | Free

What’s the Pitch?: Theatre Companies in the East Thu 30 Jun 2022 | 12-5pm 7-9pm | Free (advance booking required on our website) Thu 26 Jan 2023 | 2pm-8pm | Dance Studio

Mercury General Auditions Mon 11 Jul 2022 | 12-6pm | Studio Thu 26 Jan 2023 | 2pm-8pm | Dance Studio | Free (apply on our website)

Mercury Reads – Bindweed by Martha Loader Wed 28 Jul 2022 | 7.30pm-9pm | Studio | £5

What’s On The Fringe?: Networking with Colchester Fringe Artists Sat 3 Sep 2022 | 5pm-8pm | Dance Studio | Free

Masterclass: Into Directing with Ryan McBryde Sat 24 Sep 2022 | 1pm-5pm | Studio | £15

Masterclass: Into Producing with Mercury Producing Team Sat 22 Oct 2022 | 11am-3pm | Studio | £15

Mercury Reads – Apex by Emma Louise Howell Tues 25 Oct 2022 | 7pm-9pm | Studio | £5

Stand Up for Diversity Wed 9 Nov 2022 | 7pm-9pm | Studio | Free

Christmas Party Thu 8 Dec 2022 | 6pm-10pm | Upstairs Bar | Free (advance booking required)

Masterclass: The Way of the Idiot by Told By an Idiot Sat 11 Feb 2023 | 11am-2pm | Studio | £15 32

Our café bar offers a warm, friendly welcome to everyone.

New - afternoon tea for £16.95 or cream tea £5.95 Come and enjoy a freshly made afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and cakes or a traditional cream tea of scones with jam and cream. We serve a great range of hot drinks (including speciality teas) and we cater for gluten free and vegan diets too. Afternoon and cream teas must be booked in advance.

Coming to see a show with friends? Make your visit extra special by booking a sharing platter for before the show or during the interval. Options include a meat, fish or vegan sharing platter for 2 from just £12.50 and a bottle of wine can be arranged too. Platters and bottles must be booked in advance via our website or our friendly box office team.

Did you know? Platters and afternoon/cream teas are available as gift vouchers, so you can treat someone to a VIP Mercury experience.

Open 10am-Late Tuesday-Sunday* *Open on Sundays when there is a performance 33

Studio

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

Straight Line Crazy Thu 7 Jul 7.30pm, Sun 10 Jul 3pm | £13.50 | 12A Ralph Fiennes (Antony & Cleopatra) leads the cast in David Hare’s (Skylight) blazing account of the most powerful man in New York, a master manipulator whose legacy changed the city forever. For forty years, Robert Moses exploited those in office through a mix of charm and intimidation. Motivated at first by a determination to improve the lives of New York City’s workers, he created parks, bridges and 627 miles of expressway to connect the people to the great outdoors. Faced with resistance by protest groups, will the weakness of democracy be exposed in the face of his charismatic conviction?

Broadcast live from the Bridge Theatre in London, Nicholas Hytner directs this exhilarating new play.

Thu 7 & Sun 10 Jul Prima Facie Wed 17 Aug 7.30pm, Sun 21 Aug 1pm | £13.50 | 15 Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play.

Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending, cross examining and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.

Prima Facie takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game.

Justin Martin directs this solo tour de force, captured live from the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End. A production from Empire Street Productions.

Wed 17 & Sun 21 Aug 34

Taking Part - Adults

Workshops for Adults The Mercury is a place where anyone, regardless of background, can take part in our artistic processes and realise their own creative potential.

Here is our rich and exciting programme of weekly workshops for adults that are designed to develop performance skills, build confidence, meet new people and unleash your creative side!

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 from 12 ‘til 2 and the activities rotate on a monthly basis so the first session of each month will be the Meet Up, the second the Dance Group and so on… 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!

Week 1 – Meet Up Week 2 – Dance Week 3 – Play Readers Week 4 – Creative Writing Term sessions: Term 1

21 Apr-14 Jul 2022

Thu 12pm-2pm

Term 2

15 Sep-8 Dec 2022

Thu 12pm-2pm

Term 3

5 Jan-30 Mar 2023

Thu 12pm-2pm

£7 per session or £91 per term 35

Taking Part - Adults

Musical Theatre Dance 18+

Community Choir

Come and meet those dancing feet!

Come sing with us!

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.

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

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 have added an extra session.

Term sessions:

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.

Term sessions: Term 1

21 Apr-14 Jul 2022

Thu 7pm-8.30pm

Term 1

19 Apr-12 Jul 2022

Tue 6pm-7pm & 7pm-8pm

Term 2

8 Sep-15 Dec 2022

Thu 7pm-8.30pm

Term 2

13 Sep-6 Dec 2022

Tue 6pm-7pm & 7pm-8pm

Term 3

5 Jan-6 Apr 2023

Thu 7pm-8.30pm

Term 3

10 Jan-4 Apr 2023

Tue 6pm-7pm & 7pm-8pm

£5 per session or £65 per term

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18+

Term 1 £88. Term 2 & 3 £120 We offer a payment plan, just ask our friendly customer service team for details.

Taking Part - Adults

Shakespeare 101

Acting 101

18+

This 10-week practical class will introduce you to the life and work of William Shakespeare.

You will tackle the challenge of making Shakespeare’s unfamiliar words meaningful and explore the history, customs, political attitudes and everyday life of this time in history. This term is set at an intermediate level but beginners are very welcome!

This course culminates with a celebratory performance in our studio for those who wish to take part.

2 Feb-9 Apr 2023 | Thu 7pm-9pm First session taster £8, £80 for term

18+

Interested in acting but don’t know where to start? Then this is the perfect course for you. Meeting every Thursday for 10 weeks, a Mercury Teaching Artist will introduce you to effective physical and vocal exercises, script analysis and improvisation techniques to build confidence, encourage spontaneity and strengthen connection. Throughout the course you will receive personalised feedback and guidance to support your development as an artist. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refresh your practice this is the course for you.

8 Sep-10 Nov 2022 | Thu 7pm-9pm First session taster £8, £80 for term

Improv 101 This inspiring termly fun-filled class explores the principals of improvisation with a focus on truthful performance, active listening and moment-to-moment interaction.

Learn to create dynamic characters and scenes and improve your focus. Improv 101 is essential for improving your acting, confidence and communication skills.

Our Improv 101 group will perform an improv night every term as part of our Lates programme. You can join the class if you prefer not to perform but this is your chance to become part of a company with regular opportunities to flex your improv skills!

Term sessions: Term 1

9 Sep-11 Nov 2022

Fri 7pm-9pm

Term 2

13 Jan-17 Mar 2023

Fri 7pm-9pm

First session taster £8, £80 for term 37

Taking Part - Adults

Zumba® Gold 18+

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.

Delivered in partnership with Le Barre, Pilates is an intense, 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, which last for 55 minutes.

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!

Term sessions:

Term sessions: Term 1

8 Sep-15 Dec 2022

Term 2 5 Jan-6 Apr 2023 £5 per session

18+

Thu 10.15am-11am Thu 10.15am-11am

Term 1

1 Jun-27Jul 2022

Wed 1pm

Term 2

7 Sep-14 Dec 2022

Wed 1pm

Term 3

4 Jan-29 Mar 2023

Wed 1pm

£6 per session

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).

Come and learn some of the skills used to create successful drag performance including lip sync, characterisation through movement, and comedy skills.

You’ll also get the chance to try some basic choreography to iconic music.

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 experience.

Why not join us in the bar afterwards and strut your stuff at our Lates cocktail Cabaret?

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Dates: Sat 4 Jun 2022

7pm-9pm

Sat 16 Jul 2022

7pm-9pm

Sat 24 Sep 2022 7pm-9pm Sat 15 Oct 2022

7pm-9pm

Sat 18 Feb 2023

7pm-9pm

Sat 18 Mar 2023 7pm-9pm £10 per session

Taking Part - Adults

Pilates - Prenatal and Postnatal

18+

Join us for Pilates specifically tailored to mummies to be, parents and their little ones!

Pilates is a fantastic workout for women of any trimester and new parents - it is a low impact exercise that helps to create, maintain and slowly build muscle tone without straining yourself or your baby. Please feel free to bring your baby along to enjoy the session too!

Delivered in partnership with Le Barre.

Term sessions: Term 1

7 Sep-14 Dec 2022

Wed 11.45am-12.45pm

Term 2 4 Jan-29 Mar 2023 Wed 11.45am-12.45pm £6 per session

Crafternoons: Millinery

18+

In this two hour workshop you’ll be guided through the process of making your very own hats - a fascinator or a bicorn, by Susan Widlake, Milliner and Mercury Creative.

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!

Dates: Sat 11 Jun 2022

2pm-4pm

Sat 3 Dec 2022

2pm-4pm

Sat 11 Mar 2023

2pm-4pm

£30 per workshop

Crafternoons: Costume

18+

Take part in a craft session with our very own Mercury Theatre’s costume team. In this two hour workshop, you will learn how to create a piece from one of the Mercury’s upcoming productions. Basic sewing skills will help but don’t worry if you’re a beginner, our team will be able to help. The July workshop will be inspired by the costumes from our summer production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and in October the session will take its inspiration from the Mercury’s Panto Beauty and the Beast.

Dates: Sat 2 Jul 2022

2pm-4pm

Sat 15 Oct 2022

2pm-4pm

£30 per workshop 39

Taking Part - Young

Young People

We believe theatre has the power to change young people’s lives.

Our fun programme of activities is designed to develop: • Self-confidence • Imagination • Empathy

• Concentration • Communication • Cooperation

• Emotional expression • Physical fitness • Memory

Taking part in our activities will help young people to think outside the box and be more assertive in their approach to new situations. The skills and confidence that come from participation in the performing arts can be applied to their school, career and life.

MYC Song Cycle

All ages

Join our MYC Musical Theatre group as they take you on a time warp tour through the decades celebrating the best of musical theatre with a dynamic musical reflection of the last 50 years.

Curated by Craig and Rosie Mather (Les Miserablés/Mamma Mia!) and performed by our MYC Musical Theatre group in the studio.

Sun 17 Jul 2022 | 2.30pm & 7.30pm | £7

MYC Musical Theatre

14-17s

Run by West End professionals Craig and Rosie Mather, 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.

Weekly from 23 Apr 2022-1 Apr 2023 Sat 2pm-4pm £130 per term*

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

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Taking Part - Young

MYC Mercury Young People 5-25s Channeling and releasing young people’s creativity 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.

Cooperation, collaboration and communication are our watchwords.

We will keep parents informed about their young person’s progress and will invite them to join us for end of term performances.

Weekly from 19 Apr 2022-28 Mar 2023 Age

School Yr

Day / Time

5-8

1, 2 & 3

Tue 4pm-5pm

8-11

4, 5 & 6

Tue 5.15pm-6.15pm

11-13

7&8

Tue 6.30pm-8.30pm

Weekly from 20 Apr 2022-29 Mar 2023 Age

School Yr

Day / Time

13-15

9 & 10

Wed 5.15pm-7.15pm

15-17

11, 12 & 13

Wed 7.30pm-9.30pm

18-25

MYC Digital

9-12s

Come and explore the possibilities of Digital Storytelling!

Led weekly by Mercury Digital Artists, our young digital creators will explore storytelling techniques using the latest digital technologies - such as coding, VR performance, motion capture, video game design, Raspberry Pi, filmmaking, binaural sound technology and podcasting.

Whether you’re a beginner or a budding tech wiz, MYC Digital is designed to be accessible for all abilities and needs.

Term sessions: Term 1

3 Sep-17 Dec 2022

Sat 11am-1pm

Term 2 7 Jan-25 Mar 2023 Sat 11am-1pm £150 per term*

Wed 7pm-9pm

£89 each term* We can offer a taster session if your young person wants to see if they like it, just ask our friendly customer service team for details. *A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

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Taking Part - Young

SEND Party Nights

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

Calling all young people with SEND – this is the night for you!

At the Mercury we believe 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 is designed to provide parents and carers with an opportunity to explore creative play.

Dance the night away and make new friends at our fun-filled party night. The evening takes place in a safe, positive environment and includes:

4-18mths

Tots Twinkles Tue 10.30am-11.15am

Term 1

19 Apr-19 Jul 2022

Term 2

6 Sep-13 Dec 2022

Term 2

10 Jan-4 Apr 2023

£6.50 per session

Tots Stars

18mths-3yrs

Tue 11.30am-12.15pm Term sessions: Term 1

19 Apr-19 Jul 2022

Term 2

6 Sep-13 Dec 2022

Term 2

10 Jan-4 Apr 2023

£6.50 per session

• • • • •

Our resident DJ playing your favourite tunes Face painting Group games Snacks Lots of sensory toys

What are you waiting for? Come and dance your socks off!

Term sessions:

42

7-14s

Tots Twinkles & Stars

Dates: Fri 29 Jul 2022

6.30pm-8.30pm

Fri 30 Sep 2022

6.30pm-8.30pm

Fri 25 Nov 2022

6.30pm-8.30pm

Fri 27 Jan 2023

6.30pm-8.30pm

Fri 31 Mar 2023

6.30pm-8.30pm

£5* per session and parents/carers go FREE! *Young people must have an Essex Short Breaks Passport Number. If you are currently not registered with Essex Short Breaks, please visit our website for more details.

Taking Part - Young

Crafternoons for Kids: Screen Printing

8-12s

Crafternoons for Kids: Puppet Making

Our beginner’s screen printing Crafternoon is perfect for young people who have little or no previous screen printing experience. It’s a practical, hands-on and, most importantly, fun workshop to get creative. Come along and make your very own Mercury t-shirt screen print. You’ll learn some of the techniques used and have a lot of fun getting messy!

Dates:

5-10s

This fun-packed workshop is an inspirational experience for your children. The workshop explores the science of light and shadow and the art of storytelling. We will creatively work on the characters from the Mercury Production of Alice in Wonderland and this year’s panto, Beauty and the Beast.

Dates:

Sat 11 Nov 2022

2pm-4pm

Sat 6 Aug 2022

2pm-4pm

Sat 11 Feb 2023

2pm-4pm

Sat 17 Sep 2022

2pm-4pm

£25 per workshop (t-shirt included)

So You Want to Work in Theatre?

£15 per workshop

14-18s

Come and learn about working in a theatre this October half term!

In our three day workshop we’ll have industry professionals from various departments of the Mercury, providing hands-on workshops and talks from backstage departments in costume design, production, producing and technical theatre.

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of how the theatre industry works and the potential career pathways available.

27-29 Oct 2022 | 10am-3pm £85* *A limited number of bursary places are available.

Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

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Holiday Clubs

Y A D I L O H CLUBS

SEND Holiday Club

7-14s

This four day multi-sensory storytelling workshop is not to be missed!

Our Holiday Clubs are led by SEND-trained actors, directors and choreographers who will share their craft and experience with your young people. At the end of the week your young people will showcase their new-found singing, acting and dancing skills to family and friends.

Come along and make new friends, learn new skills and have loads of fun!

Age

Dates

Time

7-14

31 May-3 Jun 2022

10.30am-3pm

7-14

2-5 Aug 2022

10.30am-3pm

13-17

25-28 Oct 2022

10.30am-3pm

7-14

14-17 Feb 2023

10.30am-3pm

Theatre Camp

5-10s

Perform at the Mercury!

Join us for a fun-filled three day Theatre Camp exploring a range of theatre skills including improvisation, storytelling and a load of play and props! Participants will work towards a sharing at the end of the week.

1-3 Jun 2022 | 10am-3pm £85*

£25 for Passport holders *A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

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Holiday Clubs

Play in a Week – Alice in Wonderland

7-12s

Just five days to create a brand-new piece of theatre, rehearse the show, learn the dance routines, make up songs, make the props, find the costumes, sell the tickets, make new friends, prepare the set and learn about all aspects of professional theatre…challenge accepted!

This year’s Play in a Week Summer School will create a brand-new re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland brought to life and performed at the Mercury by young people taking part in this fun holiday club.

Give your child a playful memorable experience this summer!

Digital Summer School

9-14s

Come and explore the possibilities of Digital Storytelling!

Led by Mercury Digital Artists, our young digital creators will spend the week exploring storytelling techniques using the latest digital technologies, such as coding, VR performance, motion capture, video game design, Raspberry Pi, filmmaking binaural sound technology and audio podcasting.

Whether you’re a beginner or a budding tech wiz this holiday club is designed to be accessible for all abilities and needs.

9-12 Aug 2022 | 10am-3pm £170*

26-30 July 2022 | 10am-3pm £160* *A limited number of bursary places are available. Contact taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk for more info.

45

Schools

Our Work with Schools 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. We offer a wide range of workshops and events for young people from Key Stage 1 to Undergraduate level, providing young people with the opportunity to develop skills in creativity, collaboration and communication. Below is a flavour of what’s on offer - check our website for the full range of activities or email taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk.

A Range of Workshops We offer wellbeing programmes to support your students with anxiety and transition as well as practical opportunities to inspire creativity in young people and their teachers.

Contact us to find out more.

Industry Days Key Stages 1-5 This half-day visit gives students the opportunity to hear from a range of creative professionals about their jobs, discovering and exploring career pathways in the creative industries. £175 + VAT

Beauty and the Beast Panto workshop Key Stage 1+ Make your school’s visit to the Mercury panto even more enriching with our fun workshop exploring character archetypes, fairy tales and conventional storylines. £150 + VAT

Schools Workshop - Told by an Idiot Key Stage 3+

Thu 2 Feb 2023 | from 10am £200 + VAT (£150 if combined with 30+ tickets for Told by an Idiot production Charlie & Stan)

CPD - Told by an Idiot Thu 2 Feb 2023 | 6.30pm-8.30pm Professional development for Drama Teachers and Creative Practitioners. £30 per person 46

Special Events 8+

Royal Jubilee Celebration

Grimm Tales MYC Show

Come and join us at the Mercury piazza for a fun-filled day of outdoor activities, music, dance and entertainment for the whole family in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee. Don’t forget to book a delicious cream tea in our café bar while you are with us!

Rediscover the magic and wonder of the original Grimm Tales, retold by master-storyteller Philip Pullman and performed by our Mercury Young Company. Enter a perilous world where forests are dark, witches are wicked and children are fearless.

You’ll meet the familiar characters from the Brothers Grimm, including Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and some unexpected ones too, such as the Goose Girl and the Spring.

Sun 5 Jun | 12pm-8pm | Free (not ticketed)

So, follow the light of the pale moon through the trees and remember not to stray from the path. A feast of storytelling in our studio, suitable for all the family, but you may want to sleep with the light on.

Thu 11-Sat 13 Aug | Eves 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm | £8

14+

The Human Library - Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover Books in our Human Library come from all walks of life and each has a different story to tell. The difference is that books are ‘people’ and reading is a ‘conversation’.

Come along, connect with people you wouldn’t normally meet and celebrate positive differences in our community.

Organised by Essex Cultural Diversity Project as part of Essex Book Festival 2022. Head upstairs to the bar area to explore our Human Library – you never know who you will meet!

Sat 11 Jun | 2pm-6pm Upstairs Bar | Free (not ticketed)

16+

World Aids Day The Mercury, in partnership with Metro, The Outhouse, Colchester Pride and Tackle HIV presents an evening of participation, remembrance, inclusion, information, education and performance to mark World AIDS Day. This special evening in our café bar will include short films, performances, charity stalls and speakers.

In creating a safe space in which to gather, there will also be an opportunity for reflection, remembrance and a candle-lit one minute silence.

Thu 1 Dec | 7pm-9pm | Free (not ticketed) 47

Friends Love theatre? Become a member today!

Join us to make the most of your Mercury experience and help regional theatre thrive. To begin your supporter journey, or to purchase a gift membership for a friend or loved one, call our team on 01206 573948 or visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/support to find out more.

£1200

per year

£500

per year

£200

per year

£60

per year

£25

per year

48

Producers Club As below, plus recognition in the public space of the building, two free tickets to every Mercury Theatre press night and free car parking for every Mercury Production show booked.

Ambassador As below, plus an all-new Mercury lapel pin, Mercury Production photo calendar, two show press packages and exclusive annual ‘behind-the-scenes’ and ‘meet the maker’ experiences.

Supporter As below, plus a 10% café discount, membership card, drink and programme vouchers and invitations to an exclusive post-season launch drinks reception.

Friend As below, plus keep up to date with ‘all things Mercury’, with invitations to our season launch events, behind-the-scenes newsletters and unlimited free ticket exchanges.

Priority Member Be among the first to book your favourite seats for Mercury Productions, big-name comedians, pantos and more, with early access to tickets to all of our performances.

Your legacy is their future.

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.

Supporters & Funders Corporate Supporters

Thank you to our Funders

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.

Our Upstairs Bar is generously supported by:

Premier Partner

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

Corporate Partners

Arts Council England / Colchester Borough Council / Essex County Council / Essex Association of Local Councils / European Regional Development Fund / South East Local Enterprise Partnership / Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government / HM Government / Action For Children / Bernard Sunley Foundation / Bradbury Foundation / Bruce Wake Charitable Trust / Equity Charitable Trust / Foyle Foundation / FSJ Charities / Garfield Weston Foundation / Heritage Lottery Fund / King Coel’s Kittens / Samphire Trust / Sport England / Theatres Trust / The Hobson Charity / The Linbury Trust / The Wolfson Foundation

insurance brokers incorporating J GOSLING

49

Access for All Our free Access for All scheme helps you to keep us updated with your needs as well as ensuring you can book tickets and parking online and receive any discounts available.

As a member of Access for All you’ll receive the following benefits: • A welcome email explaining how to book your tickets • A dedicated newsletter • Online access to the best seats to meet your needs including seats in our accessible viewing areas • Book advance parking tickets in our dedicated accessible parking area • Automatic discounts and free tickets for those that need a companion or PA • Regular check-ins from our customer experience team to check you’re enjoying your visits Joining the scheme is easy. Go to the Access for All page on our website (in the menu bar on the top right), email access@mercurytheatre.co.uk or call our team on 01206 573948.

Discounted tickets are available for disabled customers for most of our Mercury Productions and for many of our visiting shows.

Assistance dogs are welcome at all performances. Please inform us when booking. Your dog can come into the auditorium with you, or be well looked after by our team.

Wheelchair users are welcome in our theatre and studio spaces. Please tell us you require a wheelchair space when booking. We can accommodate up to 6 wheelchairs at any one time in the theatre and up to 3 in the studio.

If you require a seat transfer, please speak to a member of our team who will be happy to arrange this for you. Our friendly staff can also provide refreshments for you to purchase at the interval at your seat. There is step-free access and accessible toilets.

50

Assisted listening system is available for all performances. Our system is suitable for use with or without a hearing aid through our specialised equipment. Please mention when making your booking. Equipment should be collected from the ticket counter.

RP Relaxed performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment including people with an Autism Spectrum condition, sensory or communication disorders, or a learning disability. Audience members will be free to come and go as they please throughout the performance and make noise if they want to.

Choose ‘RP’ when booking your show.

AD Audio described performances give you a live commentary about the action happening on stage through a pair of headphones. Please choose ‘AD’ ticket type when booking.

TT Touch Tours are available before each audio described performance, enabling you to explore the stage and get a feel for the costumes and set before the show starts. Touch Tours must be booked in advanced. Look for TT on the show date menu.

CAP Captioned performances display the spoken word, songs and sound effects into text on a caption unit on the stage. This is helpful if you or someone you know enjoys theatre but finds it difficult to hear what is being said. Please choose the ‘CAP’ ticket type when booking if you would like to use this service.

British Sign Language interpreted shows have the spoken word and songs interpreted live by a BSL interpreter beside or on the stage. Look for ‘BSL’ next to the performance date/time.

For more information about making your visit easy and enjoyable, or for this information in an alternative format, email access@mercurytheatre.co.uk or speak to one of our friendly customer experience assistants on 01206 573948.

Seating Plan This is our theatre seating plan. Price bands vary on a show-by-show basis, and ticket prices vary by day of the week. Prices may change without notice. Please see our website or contact our customer experience team for seating plans for individual performances.

We can accommodate up to six wheelchair users in the theatre and three in the studio, with additional spaces available for specialised performances. Please state that you require a wheelchair space when booking or join our free Access for All scheme which will allow you to book these spaces online.

Keep in touch Sign up to our mailing list and be the first to hear about our new events: mercurytheatre.co.uk – 01206 573948

MercuryTheatreColchester MercuryTheatre MercuryTheatre 51

Booking Info Ticket Sales mercurytheatre.co.uk tickets@mercurytheatre.co.uk 01206 573948

Buying your tickets E-Tickets are the Future You can simply show us your e-tickets on your phone (the most environmentally friendly option) or print them at home. Tickets can be posted to you for £1.50.

Online booking Book online at mercurytheatre.co.uk. You can avoid waiting and help us to keep our costs down by booking online if you can.

Payments You can pay by cash, cheque, theatre tokens, Mercury Theatre Gift Voucher and credit and debit cards. Tickets can be reserved without payment for five days.

Discounts £15 Tickets For every Mercury Production we offer 50 seats at £15 – these are extremely popular and we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Concessions Concessions are available for over 65s, jobseekers, students and under 26s and are subject to performance. We do ask for proof of eligibility on collection, and discounted tickets booked online and by phone will need to be collected in person.

Military Discount We’re proud to support our armed forces with 20% off all Mercury Productions and Pantomimes, when booked in person with proof of status. Only one discount can be applied to each ticket transaction. Discounts may be available for selected other performances.

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Our friendly team is available to assist you Tuesday to Sunday 10am until 8pm School Groups All tickets £11.50, Mon-Fri, plus one free additional ticket for every ten purchased.

Group Discounts Groups of 10+ get £2 off per ticket on shows excluding the first two performances and the lowest priced tickets, unless otherwise stated on the show information.

Exchanging Tickets We will exchange tickets for another performance or give you credit to the value of your seats for use at a later time if five days’ notice is given prior to the date on the original ticket. *Become a Mercury Friend and you won’t be charged for this service.

Babes in Arms We can accommodate up to 15 under 2s, sitting on laps, at selected performances. Tickets are £2.50 each and can be booked in person at our ticket desk or over the phone.

Keeping Everyone Safe – Covid 19 We’re working really hard to keep our audiences, visitors, staff and everyone onstage and backstage as safe as possible.

Our refurbished building benefits from a new super-efficient air-handling system and, just to reassure you, our team will be wearing masks for the foreseeable future. Our survival as an organisation relies on us not having to cancel any performances. We would therefore be grateful for your help in ensuring the show can go on and we would kindly request that you consider wearing a mask when moving through the building and while in the auditorium. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

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 £2.50.

E-Cigarettes In line with World Health Organization guidance we don’t allow the use of e-cigarettes or vaping indoors at the Mercury Theatre.

Special Effects Warnings If you are concerned about any special effects (strobe lighting, smoke, loud bangs, etc.) sometimes used in productions, please call the team on 01206 573948 for more information.

Cloakroom Bags and coats can be left in a supervised cloakroom. Booster seats for children are also available.

Mercury Gift Vouchers and Theatre Tokens We sell Mercury Theatre Gift Vouchers and National Theatre Tokens. Please speak to the customer experience team or see mercurytheatre.co.uk for details.

We Have Spaces for Hire Our newly refurbished theatre can be your home too. We have a range of spaces available to hire, whether it’s for a fitness class, a conference, or even just a desk, we’ve got a space with your name on it. Get in touch to find your perfect fit: email hires@mercurytheatre.co.uk or go to mercurytheatre.co.uk for more information.

NO RTH ERN

APP RD

Refreshments Our café bar is open Tues-Sun from 10am, during intervals and after evening performances. We serve a wide selection of light meals, cakes, pastries and snacks alongside a range of teas, coffees and alcoholic and soft drinks, including options sourced from local suppliers and prepared by our in-house kitchen. Interval drinks and ice creams can be preordered at the café bar or from your phone before the show and they will be waiting for you at the interval. Avoid the rush and we promise the ice cream will still be frozen and your drinks chilled!

NORTH STATION

AY WESTW

COLNE BANK AVENUE

ST MARY’S CAR PARK

HA RW IC H

NORTH HILL

JUMBO

HIGH ST

A137 HARWICH M’TREE

CO W DR AY AV EN UE

CASTLE PARK

FIRSTSITE

LEXDEN ROAD

B1022 TIPTREE

RO AD

COWDRAY AVENUE

MIDDLEBOROUGH CAR PARK

A12 IPSWICH

A133 CLACTON

TOWN STATION

SOUTH WAY

MAGDALEN ST

B1025 MERSEA

MERSEA ROAD

For a more detailed map please visit our website.

A12 LONDON

BALKERNE HILL

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.

NORTH IPS WIC HR OA D

How To Find Us

A134 SUDBURY

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 Healey’s.

Registered Charity No. 232387. Company Registered in England No. 441035.

53

JUNE 2022

Show Diary

Wed 1

8pm

Evelyn

Thu 2

8pm

Evelyn

Fri 3

11.30am

Dinosaur World Live

2.30pm

Dinosaur World Live

Sat 4

Ticket Sales

mercurytheatre.co.uk tickets@mercurytheatre.co.uk 01206 573948 Our friendly team is available to assist you Tuesday to Sunday 10am until close

Sun 5

Sun 12

Café Bar

2.30pm

Dinosaur World Live

3pm

Evelyn

7.30pm

Evelyn

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

12pm

Jubilee Events all day

11.30am

Dinosaur World Live

2.30pm

Dinosaur World Live

8pm

Sat 11

Studio

Dinosaur World Live

Evelyn

Wed 8 7.30pm Stewart Lee - Snowflake/ Tornado

Fri 10

Theatre

Evelyn

11.30am

Tue 7 7.30pm Stewart Lee - Snowflake/ Tornado

Thu 9

54

7.30pm

8pm

Evelyn

3pm

Evelyn

7.30pm

Into the Groove

8pm

Evelyn

7.30pm

Fascinating Aida

8pm

Evelyn

10am

Zog and the Flying Doctors

12pm

Zog and the Flying Doctors

3pm

Evelyn

7.30pm

Fascinating Aida

8pm

Evelyn

10.30am

Zog and the Flying Doctors

1.30pm

Zog and the Flying Doctors

Wed 15 7.30pm

Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan

Thu 16 7.30pm

Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan

Fri 17 7.30pm

Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan

Sat 18 2pm

Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan

7.30pm

Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan

Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Thu 30

Fri 22

Comedy Night – Fringe Preview

7.30pm

The Sound of Springsteen

Fri 29

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

Sat 30

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

9pm

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party LATES

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

8pm

Offside

7.30pm

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

8pm

Offside

2.30pm

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

7.30pm

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

7.30pm

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

AUGUST 2022

8.00pm

Comedy Night – Fringe Preview

Tue 2

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

2.30pm

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

Wed 3

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

Thu 4

2.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

2.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

Sun 31 11am The Skinny Jean Gardener Show 2pm The Skinny Jean Gardener Show

Apple ‘N’ Spice

2pm

Apple ‘N’ Spice

Fri 5

7.30pm

Speaking Out and Fitting In!

Sat 6

8.30pm

Hundred Watt Club

Sat 2

11am

Errol’s Garden

7.30pm

18+

SOLD

Thu 7

7.30pm

NT Live Straight Line Crazy

Sat 9

9pm

West End Live LATES

11am

We Are Not Shellfish

3pm

NT Live Straight Line Crazy An Evening Out with Andy Hamilton

Thu 14 7.30pm

Hello Again – A Tribute to Neil Diamond

Fri 15 7.45pm

Colchester Military Wives Choir 10 Year Anniversary

Sat 16

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Wed 20

1.30pm

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

4pm

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

11am

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

2.30pm

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Audio Described Post-show Q&A

RP Relaxed

Touch Tour

9.30pm Band Night: Sealionwoman LATES Sun 7

3pm

Alice In Wonderland

Tue 9

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

Wed 10

2.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

Thu 11 1pm

Wed 13 7.30pm

Thu 21

8pm

7.30pm

11am

18+

Sat 23

90s Silent Disco LATES

JULY 2022

Sun 10

Viva Burlesque!

9pm

Fri 1 Wed 6

7.30pm

Touch Tour for Alice In Wonderland

2.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

Fri 12

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

Sat 13

2.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

7.30pm

Alice In Wonderland

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Sun 14

3pm

Alice In Wonderland

Wed 17

7.30pm

NT Live - Prima Facie

Thu 18

8pm

Think Floyd

Fri 19

8pm

Lost in Music

Sat 20

7.30pm

Cirque – The Greatest Show

Sun 21

1pm

NT Live - Prima Facie

CAP

Captioned Performance

18+

Adult Performance

RP

CAP

BSL Interpretation

55

SEPTEMBER 2022

Fri 7

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

9pm

Celebration Of Black History Month LATES

Sat 8

2.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Thu 8

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Fri 9

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Sat 10

2.30pm

Fame - CO2

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Sun 11

3pm

Fame - CO2

Tue 13

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Wed 14

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Thu 15

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Fri 16

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

Sat 17

2.30pm

Fame - CO2

7.30pm

Fame - CO2

9.30pm

Sing-a-long LATES

2.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Sun 18

3pm

Fame - CO2

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Wed 21

7.30pm

Friendsical

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Thu 22

7.30pm

Friendsical

Wed 19

7.30pm

An Evening with Michael Portillo

8pm

Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me

Thu 20

TBC

Colchester Fringe Shows

Fri 23

Viva Burlesque!

Fri 21

TBC

Colchester Fringe Shows

7.30pm

Illusion Impossible

TBC

Colchester Fringe Shows

7.30pm

Vincent Simone Tango Passions

9pm

Colchester Fringe - LATES

TBC

Colchester Fringe Shows

3pm

An Audience with Adam Frost

10am

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

1pm

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

7.30pm

8pm

Sat 24

7.30pm

8pm

Good Luck, Studio

3pm

Good Luck, Studio

Tue 11

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Wed 12

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Thu 13

2.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Fri 14

Sat 15 1pm

18+

Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me

Sat 22

Fi Glover and Jane Garvey Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me

Sun 23

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Wed 28

7pm

NT Live screening

Fri 30

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

Wed 26

OCTOBER 2022 Sat 1

7.30pm Sun 9

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

8pm

Time & Tide

Sun 2

3pm

NT Live screening

Tue 4

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Wed 5

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

Thu 6

2.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

7.30pm

Good Luck, Studio

RP

CAP

Touch Tour for Good Luck, Studio

4pm

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

Wed 26

7.00pm

NT Live screening

Thu 27

10am

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

1pm

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

4pm

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

7.30pm

I Am [Not] Kanye West

7.30pm

Crimes on Centre Court

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

3pm

NT Live screening

CAP

Fri 28 Sun 30

Panto

56

Theatre

Studio

Café Bar

Off Peak

Peak

High Peak

NOVEMBER 2022 Wed 2

7.30pm

Sun 4

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

Tue 6

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

Wed 7

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

A Century of Swing

Thu 3 7.30pm

My Dear Old Things: An Evening with Henry Blofeld

Fri 4

7.30pm

Electrik Live Orchestra

11am

Pinocchio

8pm

Northern Soul Night

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

Sat 5 7.30pm

An Evening of Magic with Richard Jones

Tue 8 7.30pm

Roman River Music presents Kaleidoscope, featuring Tom Poster and Elena Urioste

Wed 9

Stand Up for Diversity

7pm

Thu 8

Fri 11 7.30pm

Dr Richard Shepherd Unnatural Causes

Sat 12

7.30pm

An Evening with Sir Geoff Hurst

Tue 15

7.30pm

Destiny

Thu 17

7.30pm

Mig and the Beanstalk

Fri 18

8pm

Hundred Watt Club

Fri 9

Sat 10 18+

Sat 19 11am The Chronicles of Atom and Luna Sun 20 1pm The Chronicles of Atom and Luna

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

11am

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

11am

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

9.30pm

MYC Night LATES

Wed 23

7pm

NT Live screening

11am

Pinocchio

Fri 25

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

Sat 26

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

1.15pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

3pm

NT Live screening

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

11am

Pinocchio

Beauty and the Beast

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

Sun 27

Wed 30 10.15am 2pm

Sun 11

11am

Tue 13

DECEMBER 2022 Thu 1

Fri 2 Sat 3

Wed 14

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

World AIDS Day Event

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

9pm

Band Night: Ben Brown LATES

Audio Described Post-show Q&A

RP Relaxed

Touch Tour

Thu 15

RP

11am

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

11am

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

CAP

Captioned Performance

18+

Adult Performance

RP

BSL Interpretation

57

Fri 16

Sat 17

10.30am

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

12.30pm

Pinocchio

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

11am

Pinocchio

4pm

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.30am

Pinocchio

11am

Pinocchio

1.15pm 7pm

Tue 27

Wed 28

4pm

Pinocchio

12.30pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

9.30pm

The Christmas Carol Experience LATES

4pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

Sun 18

11am

Pinocchio

10.30am

Pinocchio

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

12.30pm

Pinocchio

1.15pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

4pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.30am

Pinocchio

10.30am

Pinocchio

12.30pm

Pinocchio

12.30pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

4pm

Pinocchio

4pm

Pinocchio

10.30am

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

12.30pm

Pinocchio

10.30am

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

4pm

Pinocchio

12.30pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

4pm

Pinocchio

10.30am

Pinocchio

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

12.30pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

JANUARY 2023

4pm

Pinocchio

Sun 1

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.30am

Pinocchio

12.30pm

Pinocchio

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

4pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.30am

Pinocchio

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

12.30pm

Pinocchio

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

Tue 20

Wed 21

Thu 22

Fri 23

Sat 24

Thu 29

Fri 30

Sat 31

RP

Thu 5

4pm

Pinocchio

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

Fri 6

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

10.15am

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

7pm

Beauty and the Beast

Sat 7 12.30pm

CAP

Touch Tour for Beauty and the Beast

Panto

58

Theatre

Studio

Café Bar

Off Peak

Peak

High Peak

Sun 8

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

Fri 10

RP

7.30pm

Charlie & Stan

8pm

Rev Simpkins LATES

2.30pm

Charlie & Stan Charlie & Stan

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

Tue 10

7.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

18+

Wed 11

7.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

18+

7.30pm

Thu 12

7.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

18+

Fri 13

7.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

18+

Thu 16 7.30pm

Roman River presents The London Mozart Players

Sat 14

2pm

Beauty and the Beast

Fri 17

7.30pm

Comedy Club On The Road

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Sat 18

7.30pm

From Gold to Rio

12pm

Beauty and the Beast

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

4.30pm

Beauty and the Beast

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Fri 24

7.30pm

Run Rebel

Sun 15

Thu 26 7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

Sat 11

Sat 25

7.30pm

Run Rebel

Fri 27 7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

Tue 28

7pm

Run Rebel

Sat 28 2.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

MARCH 2023

7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society Sun 29 2pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

Wed 1

7pm

Run Rebel

Thu 2

1pm

Run Rebel

7pm

Run Rebel

7.30pm

Run Rebel

8pm

Hundred Watt Club

2.30pm

Run Rebel

Fri 3

7pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

Sat 4

Tue 31 7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

18+

7.30pm

Run Rebel

Sat 11

9pm

West End Live LATES

FEBRUARY 2023

Sat 18

9.30pm

Cocktail Cabaret LATES

Wed 1 7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society

Fri 24

8pm

Comedy Night with Avalon UK

Thu 2 7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society Fri 3 7.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society Sat 4 2.30pm Shrek Colchester Operatic Society 9.30pm

Sing-a-long LATES

Tue 7

7.30pm

Charlie & Stan

Wed 8

7.30pm

Charlie & Stan

Thu 9

2.30pm

Charlie & Stan

7.30pm

Charlie & Stan

Audio Described Post-show Q&A

RP Relaxed

Touch Tour

CAP

Captioned Performance

18+

Adult Performance

BSL Interpretation

59

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