12.42°C Keep Colchester Cool’s Theatre Editor, Paul T. Davies, sat down with Natasha Rickman, the new Artistic Director of the Mercury Theatre, to talk about her memories of the venue, her theatrical heroes, and what audiences can look forward to.
Natasha, thank you so much for talking to me. We’re chatting in the Mercury café, and it’s easy to forget that this emerged as part of the rebuild post-Covid. People probably know that you grew up in Colchester, and this feels like a welcome home for you! What are your memories of the Mercury?
I’ve got so many, Paul! I was in the Youth Theatre here, so I have strong memories of the friends I made and getting to do shows on the main stage. They even let me put on a play I’d written when I was 15. They gave me space and support to direct it, so that was my first opportunity to do what I do now. They gave us the usual opportunities, trust, and support.
I also used to do loads of Saturday jobs, including being a dresser during the pantomime – three years of dressing on the panto! It was incredible seeing how it all happened, and now I’ll be directing Mother Goose this year, so that feels like a cycle coming around!
Back then, Dee Evans was the Artistic Director, and we were allowed to watch dress rehearsals of all the Mercury productions – it was quite a range! But Dee also gave me a year-long apprenticeship, so I was a performer and a follow-spot operator; I worked in the education department and front of house. It was a real all-around experience and created me as a young artist.
That sounds amazing. When you’re sitting in the audience, what kinds of shows do you like to see?
I have an eclectic range of tastes, but I love seeing a new play – being taken on a journey and having that story unfold for the first time when it really hits you. But I equally love the classics; I love a Coward, I love a Miller, so for me, it’s about balance.
I’m really drawn to work that is character-driven, with complex characters that divide an audience – that nuance. I also find it joyful when you think a play is going a certain way, and then the reveal takes you in a different direction.
UCL did a study and found that when an audience is watching a play, their heartbeats synchronise, and that sums up everything I love about theatre – that communal experience. It’s a community where everyone discovers everything at the same time.
You mentioned Mother Goose, which will be the first time audiences in Colchester experience your work as a director. Programming a season must be one of the many challenges you’re facing, especially planning so far ahead. I suppose the challenge is getting an audience in without playing it too safe. The Studio work here is excellent, and last year produced some major successes that went on to even greater things. You may not be able to answer this yet, but what are you looking to produce?
I’m really excited about giving audiences a range of work, and it’s important that the theatre is producing something for everyone. For 2026, across the Studio and Main Stage, I want to produce stories that resonate with Essex and engage with local artists. I want audiences to come and have a great time watching a comedy but also be moved and thrilled by a classic.
So you’re not giving anything away, but it sounds like the kind of work you’ve done before.
Yes! I love new writing, but I also like looking at classics and putting a new lens on them while still staying true to the text and making it relevant.
Have you got any other tricks up your sleeve that will bring people through the door?
I’m so proud of this building and being part of it – it has genuinely meant so much to me. I’ve been able to come in and build on our successes. I’m in conversations with some really exciting theatres, producers, and playwrights. Whether it’s co-productions or people knowing our name, these are really exciting conversations. Nationally and regionally, it’s so exciting.
I also love the community work and output that we do. I’m really interested in bringing that work onto our stages, but I won’t talk much more about that for now!
I’m very excited and intrigued about your first season! Right, to finish off, here are some quick-fire questions.
Who’s your favourite director?
Oh, so many! I particularly like what Rebecca Frecknall does. (She directed A Streetcar Named Desire starring Paul Mescal and Patsy Ferran, as well as Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.)
Favourite male actor?
Ben Whishaw. I think he’s brilliant.
Favourite female actor?
Now, this is hard because there are so many of them. I think Denise Gough is extraordinary (*Denise won an Olivier Award for her performance in People, Places and Things) and an incredible stage performer.
Who’s the playwright you return to the most?
I would say it’s not a playwright but Greek theatre. There’s something about those stories – the way they’ve influenced and affected modern society and theatre today.
Oedipus with Mark Strong and Lesley Manville was extraordinary.
Yes! Even though we know the story, the audience was on the edge of their seats, anticipating that moment of realisation.
For our readers, to explain – there was a countdown clock onstage, but it wasn’t counting down to the end of the show. It was counting down to the moment of Oedipus’ realisation.
Exactly. It was tremendous. And, of course, Shakespeare!
Thank you so much for chatting with me, Natasha. I’m sure I speak for all theatre lovers in Colchester and beyond when I say we’re looking forward to seeing your work at the Mercury!
Paul. T. Davies
