| Mercury Theatre Colchester | |
| Pushpin Map: | Essex |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within Colchester |
| Address: | Balkerne Gate |
| City: | Colchester, Essex |
| Country: | England |
| Coordinates: | 51.8894°N 0.8944°W |
| Architect: | Norman Downie |
| Capacity: | Main Theatre 499 Studio Theatre 99 |
| Opened: | 1972 |
| Website: | Mercury Theatre |
The Mercury Theatre is a theatre in Colchester, producing highly regarded[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] original work under the title "Mercury Productions"[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]
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 In 2012 the Company was superseded by Made in Colchester, introduced by newly appointed Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd and Executive Director Theresa Veith.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]