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/

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 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

@mercurytheatre.bsky.social Script Submissions are now open. Email the first 30 pages to [email protected] 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! 📚

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

Swallow The Lake, our next Mercury Original, will be directed by Yasmin Hafesji. Yasmin studied at the University of Cambridge and trained with the Young Vic and National Theatre Studio. She was Associate Director at the Gate Theatre from 2020-2022. 🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/

🌊 Meet Joseph and Joanna in Swallow The Lake written by Tassa Deparis. Our next Mercury Original runs Thu 2 - Sat 11 Oct. 🎟 buff.ly/OZ17ur5

Our next Mercury Original has been written by Suffolk-based writer Tassa Deparis. A recent graduate of the Mercury Theatre Writers Programme in association with Paines Plough, Tassa is currently under commission to New Wolsey Theatre and HighTide where she is Associate Artist. buff.ly/OZ17ur5

Some words should be thrown on the scrap heap of history. Because I think calling him those things meant they didn’t seem him anymore. They saw a thing, they named him, and that was all. 🌊 Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis: Thu 2 - Sat 11 Oct 🌊 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/

🐣 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT 🐣 Daisy Greenwood leads a cracking cast in Mother Goose – with exciting new faces and returning Mercury stars! This year’s panto is set to be egg-stravagant…

Entries are now open for The Royal Theatrical Support Trust Sir Peter Hall Award 2025! The winner will direct a play that will open at the Mercury Theatre in Sep 2026 before touring to @rosetheatre2008.bysky.social & @storyhouselive.bsky.social. Find out more: buff.ly/Qf9jZHg

Tickets now on general sale! 🌊 Swallow The Lake A Mercury Original in association with @hightidetheatre.bsky.social‬ Thu 2 Oct - Sat 11 Oct 2025 Written by Tassa Deparis Directed by Yasmin Hafesji 🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/swallow-the-lake/ #MercuyTheatre #Essex #SwallowTheLake

Tickets now on general sale! 🔥 The Manningtree Witches A Mercury Original Sat 28 Feb - Sat 14 Mar 2026 Adapted by Ava Pickett Based on the novel by A. K. Blakemore Directed by Natasha Rickman 🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/the-manningtree-witches/ #MercuyTheatre #Essex #TheManningtreeWitches

"We are delighted to be announcing two world premieres, both written by alumni of our Mercury Playwrights programme, and both telling stories about Essex - past and present." - Natasha Rickman, Artistic Director

📣 Frantic Assembly have announced ⭐ Joe Layton ⭐ and ⭐ Hannah Sinclair Robinson ⭐ as the cast for Lost Atoms! Written by Anna Jordan (Succession, Killing Eve) and directed by Artistic Director Scott Graham, Lost Atoms runs Tue 4- Sat 8 Nov at the Mercury: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/lost-atoms/

🧁 Indulge in a marshmallow cupcake made by the brilliant @wheatandwildflowerbakery before your showing of our latest Mercury Original, Flumps. 🎟 Flumps plays in our Studio until Sat 14 Jun: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/flumps/ #MercuryTheatre #Colchester #Essex #MercuryOriginal #Flumps

Ermahgerd! It’s Flumps tech week @mercurytheatre.bsky.social! 🥳🤩. Who’s coming? Preview begin on Friday 6th! 🎟️ www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/flumps/

Unlock a real treat for two with our special offer for Private Lives 🗝 Receive 15% off your order when you book 2 tickets and Afternoon Tea for 2! 🍰 Find out more: mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/private-lives-2025/ #MercuryTheatre #Colchester #Essex #PrivateLives #AfternoonTea

Thrilled to continue developing a play that means so much to me in Year 3 of Tour the Writer with the incredible support of @painesplough.bsky.social & @mercurytheatre.bsky.social. Year 2 was a blast with my Mercury writers gang. Looking forward to more fun leading up to our showcase next year. 🙏

As Graeae Associate, Christian Markham helps to form networks between deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists across the East of England. Read their recent conversation with Emma Jo Pallett, writer of Flumps here: mercurytheatre.co.uk/blog/emma-jo-pallett-in-conversation-with-christian-markham/

With just one week to go until Flumps begins performances in our Studio, we're thrilled to share our teaser trailer! 👀 Running from Fri 6 - Sat 14 Jun, don't miss emerging Essex playwright Emma Jo Pallett's debut full-length play, and meet the siblings that hatch an unconventional plan to survive...

The boys arrive in Colchester this week at @mercurytheatre.bsky.social ahead of final tour stops at @castindoncaster.bsky.social , Regent Theatre Stoke-On-Trent, @theatreroyalbtn.bsky.social, @marlowetheatre.bsky.social Canterbury & Theatr Clwyd. #GizzaJob #BlackstuffOnStage #BlackstuffOnTour

Boys From The Blackstuff is open and it's going down a storm! Last chance to book as they'll be packing up the van and leaving on Saturday! 🎟️ mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/boys-from-the-blackstuff/ #GizzaTicket #LastChanceToSee #JamesGraham #Colchester #Essex

Boys from the Blackstuff opens tonight! Alan Bleasdale’s landmark TV drama, brilliantly adapted for the stage by James Graham, comes roaring to life. Darkly funny, unflinchingly honest, and heartbreakingly human. 🎟 mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/boys-from-the-blackstuff/

⏳ ONE WEEK TO GO ⏳ Time’s running out. In just 7 days, Boys from the Blackstuff arrives. A gripping, darkly funny portrait of working-class Britain that still hits hard today. Written by Alan Bleasdale. Adapted by James Graham. Unmissable. 🎟️ Book now: bit.ly/4cg7loO #BoysFromTheBlackstuff

⏳ TWO WEEKS TO GO ⏳ Funny, raw and unflinchingly honest. James Graham’s razor-sharp adaptation comes to Colchester in two weeks! 🎟️ Book now: bit.ly/4cg7loO #BoysFromTheBlackstuff #JamesGraham #AlanBleasdale #MercuryTheatre #TwoWeeksToGo #Colchester #Essex

The Da Vinci Code @mercurytheatre.bsky.social tonight was superb. The set was amazing, the script sympathetic to the book and the acting was top notch. If you get a chance go and see it!

💥 See Boys From The Blackstuff for just £20! 💥 Only 20 seats per performance at this price – once they’re gone, they’re gone. Unmissable theatre at an unbelievable price (if you're quick!) 🎫 Book Now: bit.ly/4cg7loO #BoysFromTheBlackstuff #JamesGraham #Colchester #RunDontWalk #MercuryTheatre

We're delighted to announce that Fuse Theatre will join us as our fifth associate company! Founded in 2024 Fuse produces original work that centres Deaf voices. Read more here: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/blog/fuse-theatre-cic-announced-as-associate-company-of-colchesters-mercury-theatre

Yay! 1 week away from rehearsals and I can’t wait!! 🥳🥳🥳

You may recognise Jadie Rose Hobson from her TV & Film credits including Call the Midwife, The Armstrong & Miller Show, Ashes to Ashes and more! Well, she's thrilled to be playing Felicity in our Mercury Original of Flumps from Fri 6 - Sat 14 Jun.

I am SO EXCITED to be working with Jadie and Robyn on Flumps! They're bloody brilliant! If you're Colchester bound in June please come and see us! On sale now! 🎟️. www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/flumps/

⏳ ONE MONTH TO GO ⏳ The clock’s ticking... Boys from the Blackstuff hits our stage in just 30 days. Gritty, powerful, and more relevant than ever – don’t miss this unmissable piece of British theatre. 🎟️ Book now: bit.ly/4cg7loO #BoysFromTheBlackstuff #MercuryTheatre #OneMonthToGo #Colchester

Announcing the full cast and creative team for our next Mercury Original, Flumps: bit.ly/44tsuKh 🍡 Jadie Rose Hobson (The Trial of Josie K, Unicorn Theatre; Call The Midwife, BBC) stars as Felicity and Robyn Holdaway (Layla in Netflix’s Sex Education; AMC’s Moonhaven) stars as Harvey.