MERCURY THEATRE announces inaugural season in refurbished theatre
Photo credit: Simply C Photography
Colchester’s Mercury Theatre is returning after a two-year closure with an incredible line-up of productions this season.
Steve Mannix and Executive Producer, Tracey Childs, have today announced the theatre’s inaugural season following the Mercury Rising transformation, a 3-year campaign which raised over £11.3 million to reimagine the theatre and improve accessibility throughout.
Opening the season in July 2021 will be Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, directed by the company’s Creative Director Ryan McBryde, followed in October by the UK premiere of Merlynn Tong’s Antigone directed by Dawn Walton OBE. Perhaps most notably, Joel Horwood has been commissioned by the Mercury to adapt Stephen King’s novel The Green Mile for the stage, with a world premiere set for 2022 at the Mercury Theatre and a national tour to follow.
The season also features the much-anticipated return of pantomime to the venue. Aladdin, by Andrew Pollard, has been announced, directed by McBryde. Initial casting sees Great British Pantomime award-winning Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville take to the stage with further casting to be announced.
New work will also be facilitated and celebrated with the launch of Mercury Originals, a programme of ground-breaking new plays from local writers. Kickstarting this programme will be the world première of Sirens by award-winning playwright, Kenny Emson, with future productions to be announced.
The theatre is also solidifying its place on the map of UK touring venues, welcoming a variety of touring productions including The War of the Worlds, Tell Me on a Sunday, And Then There Were None, Dragons and Mythical Beasts, and The Jolly Christmas Postman.
As well as revamping the foyer, café bar, auditorium, and backstage facilities, most importantly the venue is fully accessibly throughout the entire space.
Executive Director Steve Mannix said: “Having come so far in such a challenging period we are incredibly grateful that we are now in the very final stages of fully completing this vital transformation to this wonderful theatre and are incredibly excited to be planning for our reopening in June. We are beyond thrilled that we are so close to welcoming our audiences and returning to making a vital contribution to the local economy of Colchester.”
Tickets went on priority sale for supporters today at 10.30am and general sale tickets will be released on Tuesday 1 June at 10.30am. To book tickets, please click here.
