What’s
On May-Sep 2026
Hello!
Get ready for an unmissable season of live entertainment at the Mercury! Whether you’re after marvellous musicals, side-splitting comedy or fantastic family fun – we’ve got you covered!
Mischief return to cause more mishap and mayhem with their first musical Thespians and we present the story of the radio rebels who brought rock ‘n’ roll to the airwaves with Caroline – A New Musical by Vikki Stone. We’re also thrilled to announce our 2026 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, sure to be a GIANT spectacular!
We also can’t wait to take you on a host of magical adventures with the world premiere of Dermot O’Leary’s Toto the Ninja Cat, the wonderfully silly storytelling of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the smash-hit musical Zog based on Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s much-loved dragon.
Want to join us and unleash your creativity? Check out page 20, to find out more about our Taking Part programme, full of activities for all ages!
Whether you’re watching a show, grabbing a coffee or just popping in to use the Wi-Fi, we hope to see you soon!
Our promise
Times are tough and we’re here to help! As a community building we want to be there for those that might need a helping hand. We promise:
• Every Wednesday is our Bargain Bites day where pensioners can get a hot meal and a drink for £6.50.
• To offer savings when you book our hot desk workspaces regularly, or come and work in our Café Bar and make use of our free Wi-Fi if you prefer a busy environment.
• £5 standby tickets will be available for Mercury Productions at the Box Office, after 4pm on the day of the performance. There are also discounts for under 26s across all Mercury Productions.
• We’ll continue to offer ticket discounts for Military personnel and Emergency Services employees through our partnership with the Blue Light Card.
• Bursaries will continue to be available for Mercury Young Company. Please email taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk to find out more. (Subject to availability)
A Mercury Original
A Mercury Theatre Colchester, Little Angel Theatre and Mayflower Southampton co-production
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape
Thu 2 – Sat 18 Apr
Based on the book by Dermot O’Leary
Illustrated by Nick East
Adapted and Directed by Samantha Lane
Lyrics and Composition by Barb Jungr
Set, Costume & Puppets designed by Oliver Hyman
A brand-new family musical for everyone over the age of 5!
Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s no ordinary feline. Almost completely blind, Toto has incredible ninja skills, a big heart, and a nose for adventure. By day, she naps like any other pet… but by night, she’s out on daring missions with her cheeky brother, Silver.
In their very first adventure, a deadly King Cobra has escaped onto the streets of London, and it’s up to Toto to use every ounce of her courage and cunning to save the day.
Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising fun for the whole family.
Tue 14 Apr 4pm Relaxed Sat 18 Apr 2:30pm Touch Tour Sat 18 Apr 4pm Audio Described
See website for times
Tickets: Adult - £18, Child - £16.50
Age Guidance 5+ Family
Jump straight to the show page
A Mercury Production
Mercury Theatre Colchester, HOME Manchester & JPT Productions present the MISCHIEF production
Thespians
Sat 9 – Sat 23 May
Book & Lyrics by
Jonathan Sayer
Music & Lyrics by Ed
Zanders
By arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd
MISCHIEF, the team behind the multi award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, rewrite ancient history with a brand-new musical comedy, Thespians, the first musical created by “the funniest theatre troupe in Britain” The Telegraph.
534 BC. Greece’s smallest island is battling to avoid defeat in a nationwide prayer competition set up by a thin-skinned tyrantwhere the loser is put to death. All is going dreadfully until Thespis accidentally invents acting, leading to the world’s first play and the origins of theatre as we know it!
Step into the amphitheatre, leave your troubles in the foyer, and escape into Ancient Greece as it bursts into song, with a thrilling plot, a love story worthy of Aphrodite, and enough laughter to fill the Acropolis. Thespians is an uplifting, hilarious, and timely reminder of the power of empathy and stepping into someone else’s sandals.
Written
by
Jonathan Sayer
(co-writer of The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery) and Ed Zanders (musical director Mischief Movie Night), do not miss this ancient prescription for modern day laughter packed with comedy, chaos and choreography that will have every mortal in your household aching with laughter.
If you thought something funny happened on the way to the forum, wait until you hear what happened enroute to the amphitheatre! Avoid tragedy, get comedy tickets today.
Thu 14 May 2:30pm
Relaxed & BSL Interpreted Sat 23 May 1pm Touch Tour
Sat 23 May 2:30pm Audio Described Sat 23 May 7:30pm Captioned
See website for times
Tickets from £15
Age Guidance 8+
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by
Photo
Colm O’Laoi
A Mercury Production
Presented by the East Anglian Touring Consortium
Caroline - A New Musical
Wed 3 – Sat 13 Jun
Written by Vikki Stone
Directed by Douglas Rintoul & Alex Thorpe
“A radio station for young people! Why do we need that? We both enjoy Housewives’ Choice, don’t we Caroline?” 1964, Clacton-on-Sea.
Caroline and her best friend Mary spend their days stacking shelves and return home to their mothers listening to Housewives Choice on the BBC. Every night they escape to the pier to eat chips, laugh and talk about music with Caroline’s charismatic boyfriend Robbie.
But a music revolution is coming, and Robbie lands a shock gig with Radio Caroline – the pirate radio station blasting pop, soul and rock ’n’ roll into every home in Britain. Overnight, Caroline is hurled into a whirlwind of music, mischief, and a cultural rebellion that will rewrite history.
She’s not a DJ. She’s not a rock star.
But in the middle of Britain’s radio revolution, Caroline might just steal the show.
Powered by the sounds of the Sixties – The Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithful, The Who, Lulu, The Four Tops, The Kinks, Spencer Davis Group and more. Caroline is a bold, funny, and heart-filled new musical about love, ambition, and finding the courage to turn up the volume on your own voice.
All performances will be Audio Described Thu 11 Jun 2:30pm Relaxed & BSL Interpreted Sat 13 Jun 1pm Touch Tour Sat 13 Jun 7:30pm Captioned
See website for times
Tickets from £15
Age Guidance 15+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Jump straight to the show page
Caroline was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate Programme
Wed 27 May Family
Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure
See website for times | Adults: £17.50, Children: £14.50 | 3+
Sir Charlie is bold, brave and brilliantly clever. He loves daring quests filled with wily witches, terrible beasties and fire-breathing dragons. And yes, he has a cat called Envelope! But who is this pint-sized hero and where did his story come from?
Find out in this fully interactive, inventive, and fast-paced family show that brings Sir Charlie’s tale to life while revealing the story behind it. Celebrating the power of children’s imagination and the importance of play, young audiences are invited to become storytellers themselves, helping a troupe of travelling players build a wild adventure. Together, they turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, transform the stage, and journey into mystical realms.
Based on the best-selling picture book by Kristina Stephenson, and created to mark the 20th anniversary of this much-loved, modernday classic, the show features LIVE music, glorious puppets, interactive storytelling, magical props and more laughs than you can waft away with a stinky sock.
Fri 29 May Play
Desperate Scousewives
7:30pm | £27.50 – £29.50 | 16+
Get ready for a riotous, fast-paced comedy following the lives of three loud, no-nonsense Liverpool women and one nervous newcomer, all navigating life, love, loyalty, and lipstick on a tightly knit street.
Starring TV comedy legend Crissy Rock (Benidorm, I’m A Celebrity) and the shows writer and director Lynne Fitzgerald. Desperate Scousewives is packed with unforgettable oneliners, high heels, heartbreak and hilarity. Not for the faint-hearted!
Sat 30 May Music
K-Pop Forever!
See website for times | £23.50 – £26 | All ages
K-Pop Forever! is here, LIVE on stage! Immerse yourself in the worldwide phenomenon that is K-Pop with this all-action tribute concert. Featuring live performances of smash-hits including: Blackpink, BTS, Twice, Soda Pop, Golden and many more, this is the ultimate non-stop party! With breathtaking choreography, plus songs inspired by the record breaking film K-Pop Demon Hunters, this production is one not to be missed.
Matinee performance added due to demand!
Tue 23 - Wed 24 Jun Community
TheatreFest
7pm | £11 | 8+
Join us for our annual performance platforming talented young people from across the region.
Schools, colleges and community groups will bring a selection of curated Drama, Dance and Physical Theatre pieces based on our Mercury Production: Caroline – A New Musical exploring the story of the infamous pirate radio station and the sixties – a decade that well and truly rocked!
Tue 30 Jun - Thu 2 Jul Comedy
Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf
7:30pm | £22.50 – £32.50 | 14+
Returning to the Mercury after selling out in 2023! Lee shares his stage with a toughtalking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of the subconscious who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee. Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee’s unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up?
Grab a fancy gin, locally brewed beer or a freshly cooked meal before the show!
Open all day before a show 10am-Late
Stewart Lee (“The world’s greatest living stand-up comedian” The Times), is in danger of being left behind. He’s approaching sixty with debilitating health conditions, his TV profile has diminished, and his once BAFTA award-winning style of stand-up seems obsolete. But can Lee unleash his inner ManWulf to position himself alongside comedy legends like Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais and Jordan Peterson at the forefront of sidesplitting stadium-stuffing sh*t-posting?
Wed 22 Jul Talks
Making of a Murderer 3 - The Undercover Detective
7:30pm | £25 – £33 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of true crime. Join Peter Bleksley, a founding member of Scotland Yard’s undercover unit and former star of Channel 4’s Hunted, as he lifts the lid on the most dangerous and hidden aspects of murder investigations. From the gritty realities of infiltrating criminal gangs to his own terrifying experience of becoming the target of a murder plot, Peter shares the untold stories of the most high-stakes cases.
Need some space?
Our building can be your home too! We have a range of spaces available to hire, whether it’s a class, a conference or even just a desk, we’ve got room for you! Get in touch to find your perfect fit... hires@mercurytheatre.co.uk
Thu 23 Jul Music
Cloudbusting - The Music of Kate Bush
7:30pm | £24.50 – £29.50 | All ages
“Utterly, surreally brilliant” - Classic Rock Magazine
Featuring material from across Kate’s hugely successful catalogue of albums, the show includes classic hits such as Wuthering Heights, Babooshka, Hounds of Love and Running Up That Hill. All delivered with breathtaking vocals from Mandy Watson and superb musicianship from the live band.
Sat 25 Jul Music
The Take That Experience
7:30pm | £27.50 – £29.50 | All ages
As Take That celebrate over 30 years as the UK’s number one boy band, The Take That Experience mark over a decade together as their most popular and recognised tribute act.
With acclaimed vocal performances, replica costumes and iconic dance routines, The Take That Experience recreate the magic of the Greatest Hits Tour. Featuring hit after hit from the 90s through to their most recent triumphs, including Pray, Relight My Fire, Patience, Shine, These Days, and Rule The World.
Tue 28 – Wed 29 Jul Family
Zog
See website for times | £19.50 | 3+
“I’m not braggin’ but I’m a dragon”
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children.
Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school. He’s also the most accident-prone, flying into trees, and even setting his own wing alight. Thankfully, a kind girl comes along to patch up his scratches and scrapes – but can she help him with his biggest challenge yet, so that he can finally win a golden star?
This charming smash-hit show, from the producers of Stick Man and Zog and the Flying Doctors and featuring joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe and beautiful puppets by Little Angel, is a treat for children and adults alike.
★★★★ “A rip-roaring song filled fun-fest” South Wales Echo
★★★★★ “A bright colourful musical to capture the magic of theatre” What’s Good To Do
Zog © 2010 Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Published by Alison Green Books, an imprint of Scholastic Children’s Books.
Thu 30 Jul Music
The Greatest Hits of MotownHow Sweet It Is
7:30pm | £33 – £35 | 16+
The UK’s favourite 100% LIVE Motown show: as it is, as it was, as it should be. Delivering first-class music, slick choreography and an incredible live band, it creates an unmissable Motown experience.
Seen by over one million people, this production will have you Dancing On The Ceiling to classics from The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Jackson Five and more.
Fri 31 Jul Variety
Richard Jones - Sound of Magic
7:30pm | £24.50 – £62.50 | All ages
Richard Jones captivated the nation when he became the first and only magician to conquer the stage of Britain’s Got Talent. Now, he’s ready to raise the bar even higher. With his unparalleled talents and a bag of neverbefore-seen tricks up his sleeve, Richard will have you questioning the very fabric of reality! The Sound of Magic will highlight the special link between music and our imagination while taking us on an empowering feel-good journey.
Sat 1 Aug Conference
Mercury Creatives Festival 2026
1pm | £35 | 18+
The Mercury Creatives Festival is a one-day creative takeover at the Mercury Theatre, spotlighting the extraordinary talent emerging from the East of England – and welcoming everyone passionate about theatre, growing their creative business and making work that matters. Join us for a full day of talks, workshops, masterclasses and panel events, as artists from Essex and beyond return to share their journeys, spark ideas, and support others starting out.
Fri 14 Aug Music
Luther UK
7:30pm | £27.50 – £32 | All ages
Get ready for an electrifying tribute to the legendary Luther Vandross! Starring Harry Cambridge, this spectacular stage show brings Luther’s smooth vocals, iconic hits, and soulful magic to life.
Sing along to timeless classics like Never Too Much, Dance With My Father, and Give Me the Reason. Backed by a phenomenal 7-piece live band, this full-scale production delivers stunning lighting, powerful vocals, and a dazzling atmosphere.
Sun 2 Aug Music
Creedence Clearwater Review
7:30pm | £28.50 - £30.50 | All ages
Step back in time with Creedence Clearwater Review’s The Cosmos Factory Tour! Celebrate the legendary album and timeless hits in an unforgettable night of rock ‘n’ roll. Sing along to Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary and Fortunate Son. Having captivated audiences across the UK and Europe, Creedence Clearwater Review has earned its reputation as the UK’s #1 tribute to CCR. Join us for audience participation, rousing sing-alongs, and a journey through the music that defined a generation.
Access for All
We believe theatre and all of the activities and services we offer should be accessible to all! If you have any access requirements, please visit our Access for All page to find out how we can ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible: mercurytheatre.co.uk/ enjoy-your-visit/access-for-all
Tue 4 - Sat 8 Aug
See website for times | £20 – £57.50 | 10+
Direct from the West End, the Olivier Awardnominated, worldwide smash hit is now on its first ever UK tour. Welcome to The Choir Of Man, the best pub in the world… come ready to drink in the excitement!
Brimming with hits from artists such as Queen, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry, to name but a few, this is a pub like no other!
A wildly talented group of incredible instrumentalists, world-class wordsmiths, and sensational singers, this cast of nine (extra) ordinary guys serve it all… live!
An uplifting celebration of community and friendship where everyone is welcome, don’t miss this feel-good night of foot-stomping entertainment, so good you’ll want to come back and see it again and again.
Musical
Sat 15 Aug Music
Northern Live - Do I Love You
7:30pm | £22.50 – £28.50 | All ages
Keeping the faith to the original sounds of the underground movement that started on the dance floors in the North and eventually swept the Nation including an 11-piece band with 4 lead vocalists performing over 30 original hits.
Expect to hear Out On The Floor, There’s A Ghost In My House, Do I Love You – Indeed I Do, Tainted Love, The Snake, You Didn’t Say a Word, I’m On My Way, Long After Tonight Is Over and many more!
Wed 9 Sep Music
The Mersey Beatles
7:30pm | £28.50 – £30.50 | All ages (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
The world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to The Beatles are back with an all-new show for 2026.
The Mersey Beatles have been rocking sold-out audiences around the globe since 1999. Their unforgettable shows take you on a sensational ride through Beatlemania and the melodic wonder and energy of the Fab Four’s later work. New for 2026 – The Mersey Beatles celebrate the 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking Revolver album and the hits of 1966.
Tue 8 Sep Music
Give Me The Night - A Tribute to George Benson
7:30pm | £30 – £34 | 8+
Get ready and step into the golden age of Soul and Jazz, as world-renowned leading man Nat Augustin pays homage to the legendary brilliance of George Benson. Feel the euphoria and be mesmerised by the velvet vocals and the phenomenal band; celebrating the multimillion-selling hits.
If you love George Benson this is the night you’ve been waiting for. Come and sing along to, Never Give Up On A Good Thing, and many more classic gems.
Adopt Me!
From £20 a month*
Leave your mark in our auditorium by adopting a seat. Add a name, quote or dedicate it in honour of a loved one. Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/adopt or speak to a member of our team to find out more. Support the arts. Celebrate someone special. Be part of the story. *£20 a month for 24 months or onetime payment of £475.
The Bohemians - A Tribute to Queen
7:30pm | £23.50 - £27.50 | All ages
The UK’s longest running and internationally renowned Queen tribute band take you on a high-energy roller-coaster ride of a concert, featuring the music, costumes, and showmanship of one of the world’s most popular and iconic rock acts of all time.
Whether it’s Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody or We Are the Champions, you’ll be on your feet, singing, dancing and clapping along at this truly memorable live re-enactment.
Crooners Uncaged
7:30pm | £27 - £29.50 | All ages
Superbly original, utterly hilarious & thoroughly entertaining, Crooners is the original comedy music show combining hilarious one liners, laugh out loud silliness and a splendiferous injection of Big Band swing.
Featuring their outrageous Big Band, watch them weave their way through an impressive back catalogue of hits, including Come Fly With Me, Fly Me to the Moon, Mack the Knife and many, many more... Fri 11 Sep Sat 12 Sep
Thu 17 - Sun 20 Sep Musical
CO2 - We Will Rock You
See website for times | £18 – £27.50 | 10+
Get ready to rock out with Colchester Operatic Society Second Edition (CO2) and their next production of We Will Rock You, the electrifying jukebox musical that’s taken the world by storm! Featuring over 20 of Queen’s greatest hits – including Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, and, of course, We Will Rock You – this futuristic musical delivers a high-energy, feel-good night of unforgettable music and rebellion.
Set in a dystopian future where live music is banned and individuality is crushed, We Will Rock You follows a group of young rebels – the Bohemians – as they fight to bring back free thought, fashion, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Packed with laughter, rebellion, and rock anthems that shake the rafters, We Will Rock You is a musical celebration of freedom, identity, and the power of music to change the world. Are you ready... to break free?
Studio
With 98 seats, the Studio is an intimate and welcoming space where everyone can enjoy live performance. It’s the home of bold new writing, exciting adaptations, and the very best of theatre festivals. Whether you’re introducing little ones to their first theatre experience or looking to discover something fresh and unexpected, the Studio is the perfect place to be inspired!
Fri 1 May
Fri 15 May, Fri 5 Jun, Fri 11 Sep
The Comedy Network
8pm | £14.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Book all three dates & receive 10% off!
Get ready to laugh out loud with an evening of great comedy as Avalon presents The Comedy Network.
Our popular comedy clubs have been making people laugh all year, so why not grab a drink with us, sit back and enjoy some of the best stand-up comedians on the circuit. Previous line-ups have included Sophie Duker, Jayde Adams and Simon Brodkin.
Sat 2 May Comedy Play
Glamazon Prime
7pm | £15 | 14+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Your new favourite musical is out for delivery… Have you ever found yourself watching your favourite movie, wishing it had more songs and more women? Well, you’re in luck. This all-fem dream-team are bringing you just what you ordered. Select your favourite film, and watch us turn it into a musical.
Package may contain: a sparkling new improvised musical comedy, from the cast of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Notflix.
Flashbang
7pm | £15.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Ryan and his gang were going to be mates forever. Living their lives in the same cycle as everyone else in a little town 20 miles from anywhere important. Work. Pub. Sleep. Repeat.
But then came the night when everything changed.
Flashbang is a critically-acclaimed, award nominated rollercoaster ride through the ties that bind five best mates together and what happens to those friends when that world is blown apart.
Sat 9 May Play
Clementine
7pm | £16.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Lady Clementine has until her 27th birthday to find The One. When her latest beau goes missing, she embarks on a hilariously unhinged quest to solve the mystery of her ill fortune. But with neither sense nor sensibility, will our romantic heroine find love in time? Set roughly “in the past’’, this is a story about sickly sisters, self-love and Sylvanian Families. Bonnets at the ready, ladies, for the debut character comedy show of the (Scorpio) season.
Wed 13 May
Music
Jess Robinson: Elton Reimagined
7:45pm | £21.50 | 12+
Elton John’s greatest hits are reimagined by multi award-winning comedian and singer Jess Robinson (Radio 4’s Dead Ringers, Channel 4’s The Last Leg), renowned for her pitch-perfect impressions. Channeling a variety of legendary female artists, from Britney Spears to Julie Andrews to Katherine Jenkins, Jess transforms Elton’s classics into something simultaneously familiar, surprising, and spectacular. Experience Elton’s timeless hits like you’ve never heard them before!
Tue 12 May Play
Pride & Prejudice...But Funny
8pm | £16 | 10+ (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
What do you get if you cross Jane Austen’s most famous novel with a bunch of buffoons? Pride and Prejudice…but funny!
A ridiculous romp through all the Bennets, Bingleys, bachelors and balls (not that kind), and not forgetting the De Bourghs and Darcys.
Featuring at least one soaking wet shirt and some excellent boiled potatoes, this hilarious retelling of Austen’s most loved story is not to be missed!
Thu 14 May Variety
Looking For Me Friend
8pm | £23 | 10+ (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
2026 marks 10 years since the death of the beloved Victoria Wood. So be amongst friends at “The most feel-good show in town” (Daily Mail) and join Paulus The Cabaret Geek (BBC1’s All Together Now) with Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aïda) on piano to celebrate her life.
Spreading nostalgia and laughs for 5 years+, you can expect an evening of pure joy filled with Victoria’s best-loved songs.
The Audience
By Peter Morgan
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Sun 10 May
The Playboy of the Western World
by John Millington Synge directed by Caitríona McLaughlin
Sun 7 Jun
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
By Christopher Hampton
Based on the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Directed by Marianne Elliott
Sat 15 Aug
4pm | £13.50 | 12+
Returning to cinemas for the first time in over a decade, Helen Mirren plays Queen Elizabeth II in the Olivier and Tony Award®-winning hit production, directed by Stephen Daldry.
For 60 years, Queen Elizabeth II met with each of her 12 prime ministers in a private weekly meeting. This meeting is known as The Audience. From Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron, the Queen advised her prime ministers on matters both public and personal. Through these private audiences, we see glimpses of the woman behind the crown and witness the moments that shaped a monarch.
1pm | £13.50 | 12+
Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synge’s riveting play of youth and self-discovery.
Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father. Instead of being shunned, the killer becomes a local hero and begins to win hearts, that is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…
Filmed live on stage at the National Theatre, Caitríona McLaughlin directs this darkly funny tale full to the brim with secrets.
4pm | £13.50 | 15+
CAP
BAFTA Award-winner Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) joins Aidan Turner (Rivals) in a striking new staging of Christopher Hampton’s celebrated adaptation of the classic novel, where among the glittering salons of the super-rich, one misstep can mean ruin.
Marquise de Merteuil is a master in the art of survival. Alongside the magnetic Vicomte de Valmont, they turn seduction into strategy and weaponise desire. But when their alliance collapses into rivalry, the battle between them threatens to destroy everyone in their path.
Filmed live on stage at the National Theatre, Marianne Elliott (Angels in America) directs this thrilling game of love, lies, and social warfare.
Sat 16 May Comedy
Clare Summerskill presents Why God Created Lesbians!
8pm | £13.50 | 14+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
A packed comedy and music show from “One of the funniest women in the country” (What’s On) with a keen fanbase across the UK (gay and straight!). Expect silliness, satire and self-deprecation from crowd-pleaser Clare Summerskill, dubbed “A lesbian Victoria Wood” (Woman’s Hour). Clare has written for BBC Radio 4’s Weekending and Heated Rollers, appeared on Richard and Judy (C4), and tours her shows in the UK and the US.
Sat 23 May Play
Funeral Teeth
6pm | £12.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
You’ll never change without losing something. Some losses we can laugh at, some we will cry about, but we all have to learn how to cope.
In this critically acclaimed and awardnominated piece of autobiographical work, Succulent Theatre dexterously guides you through their losses from cradle to grave, exploring what loss truly means to them - and to you.
Fri 22 May, Wed 3 Jun, Wed 22 Jul Comedy
Early Doors Comedy Night
8pm | £14.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Join us for an evening of the freshest comedy as comedians Sophie Duker (Taskmaster), Ahir Shah (Live At The Apollo), Sara Barron (Would I Lie To You), James Trickey (Funny Parts), Glenn Moore (Mock the Week) and Bella Hull (Have I Got News For You) test out brand-new material. This is your chance to catch familiar favourites and rising stars at their most daring. Come along, have a laugh, and find the funny together!
Mercury Creatives
Join the Mercury Creatives Directory! Are you a creative based in the east of England? Set up your free profile today and open yourself up to new artistic opportunities! Scan here to find out more
Colchester Fringe Festival returns to the city this October with more fun, bold and extraordinary performances. Stay tuned for the Mercury Studio line-up coming to our website soon!
Fri 29 May Family
Sisters 360
See website for times | £13.50 | 8+
Fatima and Salima are hijab-wearing stepsisters with one goal: win the Tiny is Mighty skateboarding competition. But when family tensions threaten their dream, only a daring super-plan can save the day in this funny, heartfelt play for ages 8–12.
Thu 4 Jun Play
Lessons from Teacher x
7:45pm | £12.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Cam is a hopeless romantic, a secondary school teacher falling for a handsome stranger. Crystal is an online model, punishing men for money. One has pupils, the other only fans. But they share a shameful secret…
Barbara Smith (EastEnders) brings 15 unique characters to life in a gripping new play from Erin De Frias and Dorsetborn. Lessons from Teacher x is a romcom-thriller about love, suspicion, and the warring roles we play in adult life. Who do you trust to see the real you?
Join us for Mercury Reads, a series of lively rehearsed readings celebrating local voices and fresh new writing. Each event spotlights an exciting playwright from our region, giving audiences the chance to see new stories take shape for the very first time. Keep an eye on our website for the August line-up, coming soon!
Thu 24 - Sat 26 Sep Play
Britannia Waves the Rules
7pm | £16.50 | 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
Carl is sick of Blackpool.
The army offers him a lifeline: a uniform, a family, and a ticket out of town. But as Carl swaps the seaside for the battlefield, he realises that the structure he craved is built on chaos. When he returns home, the war follows him back, fracturing the very identity he tried so hard to build.
Gareth Farr’s Bruntwood Prize-winning play is a fast-paced and devastatingly human look at the modern soldier.
Introducing Our Associate Company: Fuse Theatre
Fuse Theatre is a pioneering bilingual theatre company led by Chris Fonseca and Harry Jardine, creating bold, innovative work in British Sign Language and spoken English, with Deaf stories and Deaf talent at the centre.
Founded in January 2024, Fuse grew out of a long-standing creative partnership rooted in a shared belief that access should sit at the heart of artistic practice, not on its edges.
Fuse’s work is visually led, emotionally raw and politically alive, transforming lived experience into joy, spectacle and connection. The company challenges assumptions about who theatre is “for” and actively creates ambitious, supportive spaces where Deaf and hard-ofhearing artists can take creative risks. Access is treated as a creative engine, shaping form, aesthetics and storytelling rather than functioning as an add-on.
Alongside making their own productions, Fuse are committed to sector change and artist development. Through commissioning, mentorship and showcase platforms, they support Deaf artists to develop new work, build audiences and strengthen leadership pathways within the industry. Collaboration, long-term relationships and artist-led structures sit at the core of their practice.
As Associate Company at Mercury Theatre and incoming resident company at Camden People’s Theatre, Fuse are entering an exciting phase of growth. Their goals include developing larger-scale work, expanding commissioning programmes, deepening engagement with Deaf communities, and ensuring Deaf-led stories are central to the future of UK theatre.
Follow The Signs rehearsals
Follow The Signs 2024
A Night in Sign at Globe
Photos by Charlie Swinbourne
The Mercury is a place where anyone, regardless of background, can take part in our exciting programme of weekly workshops and classes for adults and young people that are designed to develop performance skills, build confidence, meet new people and unleash your creative side!
MYC
5-17s
Mercury Young Company, or MYC, is our yearround ensemble of young people training to be the theatre-makers of tomorrow.
Our groups meet weekly to explore playful new methods of storytelling and to create exciting pieces of theatre. Our fun, friendly classes focus on training young people to work together as an ensemble.
See website for term dates £105 - £119 per term*
MYC Musical Theatre
13-17s
Run by West End professionals and experienced performers, this weekly dynamic class provides young people with an introduction to musical theatre. Each term we explore songs and create ensemble numbers that explore how to integrate the singing, dance and acting techniques needed to perform on the West End stage.
See website for dates, Saturdays 2-4pm £104 per term*
Tots Twinkles & Stars
Interactive, multi-sensory classes for early years children and their grown-up friends.
Imagination and creativity are a vital part of a child’s early life and these 45-minute sessions are designed to stimulate both. Through storytelling, dance and music, Tots provides parents and carers an opportunity to explore creative play with nothing but home materials and a sprinkle of imagination.
See website for dates, Tuesdays £6.50 per session
Tots Twinkles 10:30-11:15am for babies and crawlers
Tots Stars 11:30-12:15pm for walkers
Mercury Adult Company
Mercury Adult Company (MAC) is a weekly practical and innovative theatre group for anyone aged 18+ with a shared passion for creating exciting theatre – both on-stage and behind the scenes. MAC take part in regular, professionally produced performance opportunities and have the chance to explore a range of bold texts varying from Shakespeare to Caryl Churchill and many more.
Whether you are a beginner or seasoned performer – if you want to express yourself, perform, laugh, meet new people and develop creative skills, we want to create with you!
See website for dates, Thursdays 7-9pm
£8.75 per session
Pilates
18+
Delivered in partnership with Le Barre, Pilates is a low-impact workout that comprises a variety of stretches achieved through precise poses to help you achieve a lean physique while challenging you mentally, physically and spiritually. Pilates is an effective stress release and mood booster, as well as being a brilliant way to keep fit.
See website for dates, Wednesdays 1-2pm
£7.50 per session
Musical Theatre Dance
Each week our experienced choreographers will teach routines inspired by hit musicals in our gorgeous dance studio. With routines from classic and contemporary shows, you will be introduced to various styles such as Modern Jazz, Latin, Hip-Hop and many more.
Staying active whilst dancing to your favourite show tunes – who could ask for anything more?
See website for dates, Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm
£6.50 per session
Zumba
55+
Join us for a fun and relaxed dance fitness class combining Latin and World rhythms. This class is perfect for active older adults or someone looking for a more relaxed class, that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity. The class introduces easyto-follow choreography that aims to improve balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, have fun and prepare to leave confident and feeling strong!
See website for dates, Thursdays 10:15-11am £7 per session
18+
18+
Working with Schools and Teachers
At the Mercury we work with hundreds of children and young people from across Essex every year. Our workshops and projects are designed to support teachers in delivering the National Curriculum as well as fostering creativity, confidence and problem-solving skills and improving children’s empathy and resilience. Our workshops in school and after school clubs cover a wide range of subjects including Literacy, History, Science, Social Studies and, of course, Drama. We also work with schools to develop bespoke programmes to meet their students’ specific needs. All of our offers can be tailored for SEND pupils.
Our Teachers’ Network and CPD workshops support educators to develop their professional and performance skills, with options including Unlocking Shakespeare, Physical Theatre, CrossCurricular Development and Confidence in Delivery.
Visit our website for a full overview of our educational offer or contact us on taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk
Supporters & Funders
Corporate Supporters
We’re proud to partner with these outstanding local companies. Join us today and enjoy the access, hospitality and profile offered by our partnership programmes. Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk/support to learn more.
Premier Partners
Our Creative Engagement activity has been made possible with the generous support of
We are grateful to the following for their support:
• Arts Council England
• Colchester City Council
• Colchester Town Deal
• Essex Activate
• Essex County Council
• Essex Youth Service
• European Regional Development Fund
• FSJ Charities
• Hervey Benham Charitable Trust
• King Coel’s Kittens
• Level Best
• National Lottery Community Fund & UK Government
• Philip Carne MBE and Christine Carne
• South East Local Enterprise Partnership
• Theatres Trust
Upstairs Bar in partnership with
Limelight Partners
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 £3.30. Accessible parking spaces outside the theatre can be booked online by joining our Access for All scheme or via the Box Office.
Café Bar
We offer a warm friendly welcome to everyone –whether you’re coming in to book tickets, watch a show or visiting the city, our Café Bar caters for all. We serve a wide selection of cakes, pastries, snacks and light meals, alongside a range of teas, coffees, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Where possible, our ingredients are sourced locally, our coffee is Fairtrade and our takeaway cups are recyclable.
If you’re watching a show don’t forget to preorder interval drinks and avoid the rush. We promise your ice cream will still be frozen and your drinks, chilled!
How To Find Us
The Mercury Theatre is only one hour from London by car or train. Following the theatre mask symbols on the road signs will take you to St Mary’s car park (CO3 3AA) which is a short walk across the Balkerne Hill footbridge to the theatre.
For a more detailed map please visit our website.
Your Tickets
Tickets can be booked online, over the phone, or in person. We offer e-tickets which can be printed or saved on your mobile phone to show our friendly ushers.
Book Tickets
mercurytheatre.co.uk tickets@mercurytheatre.co.uk 01206 573948
Our friendly team is available to assist you Tue to Sat 10am until 8pm. The Box Office will be open prior to performances on Sundays.
To find out more about your visit, view a seating plan, or for further booking information, please visit our website.
Disclaimer
All details in this brochure are correct at the time of going to print. Colchester Mercury Theatre Ltd reserves the right to make alterations where necessary. Brochure design by Poulsen Selleck. Printed by Brightsea Printing. Registered Charity No. 232387. Company Registered in England No. 441035.
