9.49°C The Mercury Theatre has unveiled its diverse Spring/Summer season, along with its full Made in Colchester programme for 2014.
The new season promises classic British drama, musical comedy, major touring productions, opera, burlesque, ballet, comedy, new talent and a wide range of family shows.
Made in Colchester
A major highlight is Betty Blue Eyes, the George Stiles and Anthony Drewe musical, which received critical acclaim in the West End and an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Musical. Directed by Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd, this co-production reunites four leading regional theatres to bring the story of post-war austerity Britain back to the stage.
Buckroyd described the season as one of huge variety, combining ambitious in-house productions with high-quality touring work.
The season opens with a Mercury Theatre and Fiery Angel co-production of Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M For Murder, starring Christopher Timothy.
In May, Mercury favourite Tony Casement directs Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, the gritty classic made famous by the BAFTA-winning film starring Albert Finney.
Other Made in Colchester productions in 2014 include:
- You Can Always Hand Them Back – the UK premiere of a musical comedy about grandparenthood
- Friend or Foe – Daniel Buckroyd’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s wartime drama
- Macbeth – Shakespeare’s tragedy in a new production
- Dracula – staged in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast
- The Wall – a new take on Pink Floyd’s iconic work by the Mercury Young Company
Visiting Productions
Drama lovers can look forward to:
- The Two Worlds of Charlie F, performed by ex-service men and women
- Birdsong, adapted from Sebastian Faulks’ novel
- ’Tis Pity She’s A Whore by Cheek by Jowl
- Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, presented by the National Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company
Comedy highlights include Jongleurs, Punt and Dennis, and Eric and Little Ern, while dance fans can enjoy Ballet Boyz – The Talent.
Families are well catered for with Dinosaur Zoo, Champions of Magic, Splosh, Nana’s Jumble and Pirate Gran.
Made in Colchester 2014 Listings
Dial M For Murder
6–15 February
Evenings 7.30pm (Mon–Sat)
Matinees 2.30pm (Sat & 13 Feb)
Tickets £10–£25
Betty Blue Eyes
14 March–5 April
Evenings 7.30pm (Mon–Sat)
Matinees 2.30pm (Sat & Thu)
Tickets £10–£25
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
9–24 May
Evenings 7.30pm (Mon–Sat)
Matinees 2.30pm (Sat & Thu)
Tickets £10–£25
You Can Always Hand Them Back
13–28 June
Evenings 7.30pm (Mon–Sat)
Matinees 2.30pm (Sat & Thu)
Tickets £10–£25
The Wall
21–23 August
Evenings 7.30pm
Matinees 2.30pm (Fri & Sat)
Tickets £10–£12.50
Friend or Foe
29 August–13 September
Performance times vary
Tickets £10–£25
Macbeth
2–18 October
Evenings 7.30pm (Mon–Sat)
Matinees 2.30pm (Sat & Thu)
Tickets £10–£25
Dracula
30 October–16 November
Performance times vary
Tickets £10–£25
Priority booking opens Monday 18 November, with general sale from Wednesday 27 November.
For full details and tickets contact the Mercury Theatre Ticket Desk on 01206 573948 or visit www.mercurytheatre.co.uk.
