Mercury Theatre, Colchester

The Mercury Theatre is a theatre in Colchester, producing highly regarded[1][2][3][4][5] original work under the title "Made in Colchester"[6] and also receiving touring shows. The theatre has two auditoria, and is led by Tracey Childs (Executive Producer and Joint Chief Executive), Steve Mannix (Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive) and Ryan McBryde (Creative Director). The theatre also contains The Digby Gallery, which showcases local art.[7]

For other uses of "Mercury Theatre", see Mercury Theatre (disambiguation).

Mercury Theatre Colchester
The Mercury Theatre from the Roman Wall
Mercury Theatre Colchester
Location within Colchester
AddressBalkerne Gate
Colchester, Essex
England
Coordinates51.8894°N 0.8944°E / 51.8894; 0.8944
CapacityMain Theatre 499
Studio Theatre 99
ProductionThe Weir, Peter Pan, The Events, Spamalot, Bang Bang, Aladdin, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Much Ado About Nothing, Wind in the Willows, Private Lives, Clybourne Park, End of the Rainbow, Bully Boy, Little Shop of Horrors, Avenue Q, Educating Rita, Cinderella, You Can Always Hand Them Back, The Good Person of Sichuan, Man To Man, James and the Giant Peach, The Hired Man, The Butterfly Lion, The Opinion Makers
Construction
Opened1972
ArchitectNorman Downie
Website
Mercury Theatre

History

In 1968, the Colchester New Theatre Trust was formed to identify a site for a new theatre and to oversee its constructions. The Mercury Theatre, designed by Norman Downie, was opened on 10 May 1972, after a successful fund-raising campaign, supported by a large grant from the Borough Council. It originated with the Colchester Repertory Company, formed in 1937.

The theatre was initially structurally identical to the Salisbury Playhouse, though the Playhouse was later extended.

David Buxton, the first Artistic Director, was succeeded by Michael Winter in 1984. After David Forder's retirement as Administrative Director in late 1990, Michael became Artistic Director and Chief Executive. In May 1994, Pat Trueman succeeded him in the joint role, until 1998. Adrian Stokes joined as Associate Director in 1995 and initiated the Community Education Programme.

In 1998 Dee Evans arrived as Chief Executive and Gregory Floy as Artistic Producer. Together, in 1999, they formed the Mercury Theatre Company with Gregory as Artistic Director. In 2012 the Company was superseded by Made in Colchester, introduced by newly appointed Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd and Executive Director Theresa Veith. In 2019 a revamped leadership structure was announced with Tracey Childs (Executive Producer) and Steve Mannix (Executive Director) appointed as Joint Chief Executives and Ryan McBryde appointed as Creative Director.

Productions at the Mercury have included the work of John Cleese, Martin Clunes, Gwen Taylor,[8] Simon Gray, Toby Longworth, Ingrid Lacey, Michael Grandage, Mike Poulton, Michael Deacon, Colin McCormack, David Oakes, Donald Freed

Michael Grandage made his directorial debut at the Mercury with "The Last Yankee",[9] and Trevor Howard began his career at the Colchester Repertory Company.

Gari Jones, formerly of the National Theatre, has regularly piloted new work at the Mercury Theatre.[10][11][12]

2018 Made in Colchester productions

2017 Made in Colchester productions

2016 Made in Colchester productions

2015 Made in Colchester productions

2014 Made in Colchester productions

2013 Made in Colchester productions

References
  1. 11.12 EDT. "The Hired Man – review | Stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  2. The History Boys – Mercury Theatre, Colchester (24 May 2013). "The History Boys – Mercury Theatre, Colchester". Thepublicreviews.com. Retrieved 23 June 2018.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Quadrophenia – Mercury Theatre, Colchester (23 August 2013). "Quadrophenia – Mercury Theatre, Colchester". Thepublicreviews.com. Retrieved 23 June 2018.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ed2e5646-13ef-11e3-9289-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2e1gz8kgC
  6. "Made In Colchester". Mercury Theatre. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  7. "Digby Gallery - Mercury Theatre". Mercury Theatre. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  8. "The Butterfly Lion". Mercury Theatre. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  9. "Michael Grandage: exit the king". The Daily Telegraph. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  10. "Work In Progress". Mercury Theatre. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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