Mercury Theatre Colchester

Top photo: Chileya Mwampulo and Lucy Mangan in The Manningtree Witches at Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Photo by Pamela Raith. Bottom photo: Playscript cover of The Manningtree Witches adapted by Ava Pickett.

'Superb and uncompromising'
★★★★ The Times

'Deeply moving and gutsy'
★★★★★ WhatsOnStage

The Manningtree Witches adapted by NHB author Ava Pickett is now on @mercurytheatre.bsky.social.

Get your playscript copy at the venue or online: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/manningtree-...

The Manningtree Witches @ The Mercury Theatre. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Ben Paites I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of attending the Press Night for the recently opened Manningtree Witches at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester last Wednesday. This is a play by Ava Pickett, a...

My thoughts on the brand new Manningtree Witches show, currently running @mercurytheatre.bsky.social

A must see! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

www.benpaites.uk/blog-4-1/the...

🌍 The Climate Playwriting Prize is seeking out the most inspiring new plays tackling the climate and nature crisis - and we couldn't be prouder to be an Associate Partner 💚

📰 Read the full article here: buff.ly/kbxSzpb

This Christmas, the Mercury Theatre present the pantomime spectacular you’ve all BEAN waiting for – Jack and the Beanstalk! 🌱

🌟 Colchester panto legends Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville are back and ready to cause more mischief and mayhem in this GIANT adventure! 🌟

Priority sale now OPEN! 🎟️

Essex Witches - A Discussion - Mercury Theatre Book your tickets for Essex Witches - A Discussion at Mercury Theatre Colchester online now!

Looking forward to being part of this discussion, Wednesday 28th February at 6pm. A gathering (or coven, if you will) of local experts in advance of the stage adaptation of “The Manningtree Witches” @mercurytheatre.bsky.social.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/essex-...

Over our panto season, we asked our audiences to help us spread the ✨ #MercuryMagic ✨ by donating to our charity, Mercury For All. Today, we are thrilled to announce that thanks to your generosity, we raised a total of... £12,887.45!!

🤝 We couldn't do this without you. THANK YOU! 💙

Devolution plans for England pose a major threat - Mercury Theatre Read the latest in our blog. Devolution plans for England pose a major threat

As the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes its way to the Lords, we are told it will place ‘more power in the hands of local people’. But will culture be excluded?

Read the full article from Steve Mannix, Chief Executive at Mercury Theatre here:

We're delighted to announce the installation of a brand new Assisted Listening System, which has been funded by £8k proceeds raised at the annual Fireworks Night in Castle Park, organised by King Coel’s Kittens 🎇

📰 Read the full press release here 👉 buff.ly/vcwCEk3

We are delighted to welcome Aquabridge Law as our newest Premier Partner 👏

📰 Read the full story here: mercurytheatre.co.uk/blog/mercury-theatre-colchester-welcomes-aquabridge-law-as-newest-premier-partner/

We are thrilled to announce our full 2026 Spring and Summer season including the world premiere of three new musicals and two plays. This marks Artistic Director Natasha Rickman's first full season at the Mercury and what a line-up of shows to start with! Read the full story 👉 buff.ly/Rk0kSTQ

🎪 We're running away to the circus for day 1 of rehearsals for the mother of all pantos - Mother Goose! 🥚 We're more than 70% sold out, so flock to the box office for your golden tickets: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/mother-goose/

🚨 The wait is over: general sale is officially OPEN! 🚨

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape | Thu 2 - Sat 18 Apr
🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/toto-the-ninja-cat-and-the-great-snake-escape/

Caroline: A New Musical | Wed 3 - Sat 13 Jun
🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/caroline-a-new-musical/

We are delighted to share that the Mercury Theatre has been awarded a grant of £187,000 as part of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation's Arts-based Learning Fund.

📰 Read the full story here: buff.ly/xfWAoMp

Flumps won the UK Theatre Award for Best New Play! What a joy to co-produce this play with The Thelmas! Congratulations to Emma Jo Pallett - we couldn't be happier that your wonderful local writing has been recognised on a national level. A huge thank you to the cast, creatives and Mercury team 🍡🍬🍭

We are sad that the final day of shows for our Mercury Original, Swallow The Lake, is here 🌊 Congratulations to the full team for creating such a beautifully moving piece of theatre and thank you to our audiences for supporting original writing and local talent. Thank you for diving in with us 💙

Audiences have been mesmerised by Swallow The Lake 🌊😍

We are down to our final three performances of Tassa Deparis' "powerfully engaging and moving play". Don't wait any longer to dive into this bold Mercury Original: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Swallow The Lake! 🌊

You only have 3 days left to see this "emotionally resonant" Mercury Original. Don't miss out - get those tickets today: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/

🎭 Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis
📍 Mercury Studio, Colchester
🗓 Thu 2 - Sat 11 Oct, 3pm and 8pm

We're jumping for joy because Swallow The Lake guest night is finally here!

We wish you a warm welcome if you're diving into this Mercury Original with us tonight. Still haven't seen the play? You only have until Sat 11 Oct so get those tickets booked! mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/ 🌊

What do you mean you haven't booked your tickets for Swallow The Lake yet? 🙄

🎭 Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis
📍 Mercury Studio, Colchester
🗓 Thu 2 - Sat 11 Oct, 3pm and 8pm
🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/
📷 Craig Fuller

Dive into stunning production photos for Swallow The Lake 📸🌊 Join us as we ask the question: can a lifelong friendship survive the cracks in the country that raised it?

🎭 Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis
🗓 Thu 2 - Sat 11 Oct, 3pm & 8pm
🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/
📷 Craig Fuller

Somebody pop the champagne - Private Lives opens tonight! 🍾

Love and chaos collide in Noël Coward’s timeless comedy Private Lives.

You have until Sat 11 Oct to catch this show - don't miss out, book your tickets today: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/private-lives-2025/ 🎟

We're diving into rehearsals! 👀 Here’s your first look at the Swallow The Lake cast bringing our next Mercury Original to life. Tassa Deparis' bold and moving play asks whether a lifelong friendship can survive the cracks in the country that raised it...
mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/

Venue Hire Open Day - Mercury Theatre Book your tickets for Venue Hire Open Day at Mercury Theatre Colchester online now!

Thinking of hiring a space? This day is all about you. On Tue 28 Oct, 3pm-8pm, we’re opening our doors to anyone planning an event — from away days to AGMs, script workshops to showcases — and we’d love to show you around. Find out more info here: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/venue-hire-open-day/

We are thrilled to announce the cast for our festive treat, The Ho Ho Ho! Mrs Christmas Show. 🤶

🌟 In our cast we have Suzanna Hughes as Mrs Christmas, Ryan Penny as Trusty, Amy Frost as Holly and of course Father Christmas as himself.

🎫 From Tue 2 - Wed 24 Dec! Book now at mercurytheatre.co.uk

🌊 We're delighted to announce the brilliant cast for Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis!

🌟 Starring Lydia Bakelmun as Joanna, Liam Bull as Ricky/Dan/Martin, Matthew Jewson as Joseph, and Krupa Pattani as Indy/Lola.

📖 Read the full announcement here: mercurytheatre.co.uk/.../cast-ann...

A headshot of Ava Pickett, a white woman with brown hair that is tied up. There is a pink stripe behind her representing The Stage Debut Award's logo and text at the bottom of the image saying: Ava Pickett, 1536.

An image of a white woman with curly brown hair that is tied up looking directly to camera in a fierce way. There is the outline of red flames in front of her and then red title text that says: The Manningtree Witches, by Ava Pickett, based on the novel by A.K. Blakemore.

A huge congratulations to Mercury Playwrights alumna Ava Pickett who has been shortlisted for Best Writer at The Stage Debut Awards for her play 1536! 🎉

You can catch Ava's adaptation of The Manningtree Witches at the Mercury in 2026. 🎟️: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/the-manningtree-witches

Theatre Script Submissions - Mercury Theatre Colchester The Mercury Theatre is dedicated to finding, supporting, and producing the next generation of playwrights based in the East of England.

@mercurytheatre.bsky.social Script Submissions are now open. Email the first 30 pages to script.submissions@mercurytheatre.co.uk by Sun 31 Aug.

#playwrights #scriptwriters #theatresky please share.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/taking-part/...

It's #NationalBookLoversDay! 📖

Did you know that our Box Office merchandise shop offers a range of books and play texts? We also have two free small library areas that you can borrow from or drop off at. Come and visit us to discover more! 📚

A picture of the seats in a theatre and a stage with a screen at the back displaying the text “Mercury Creatives Festival”

Standing by for a very exciting day… #MCFest

✍ There are things that make me look at you anew. That can break. Me, my ancestors, my children, my grandchildren.

🌊 Can a lifelong friendship survive the cracks in the country that raised it? Find out this October in our next Mercury Original, Swallow The Lake. 🎟 buff.ly/OZ17ur5