For the 2015 summer season, The Mercury Theatre has announced its upcoming show, and there is plenty on offer to make this a memorable summer for all.
Made in Colchester
The magical and musical James and the Giant Peach will give families a special treat as it continues this year’s Made in Colchester season. The story of James, his magical peach and the best (and the most bizarre!) friends a boy could have, is sure to put big smiles on the faces of adults and children alike as it plays for three weeks of the school summer holidays.
After James spills a bag of magic on an old peach tree, he watches in amazement as the tree grows a peach so humongous it’s almost as big as a house! Inside this magical peach he meets five larger than life garden bugs and together they embark on a transatlantic adventure, taking them from the White Cliffs of Dover all the way to the Empire State Building.
Last year’s director of the family drama Friend or Foe Matthew Cullum will be directing the stage adaption of Roald Dahl’s of juicy tale, and will feature Mercury favourite Dale Superville as one of James’ insect friends.
Matthew said, “What a crazy idea to try and stage James and the Giant Peach! Not only do we need a giant peach, but we need giant friendly insects to live inside it, hundreds of seagulls to fly it across the sea, hungry sharks trying to eat it, evil aunts trying to sell it, some helicopters filming it, and even escaping rhinoceros chasing people around it! It’s a crazy idea and when the Mercury asked me to direct I thought what a ridiculous, funny and brilliant adventure – let’s do it!”
He added, “The only thing I knew when we started creating this wonderful world was that I needed an actor who was as funny, clever and brilliantly inventive as Roald Dahl’s characters – that had to be Dale Superville. Now the hunt is on for the rest of the insects and the perfect James. Once we find them, we can’t wait to welcome you to this crazy world – fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
Following their two critically acclaimed productions of Quadrophenia and The Wall, the talented Mercury Theatre Young Company return for their third year with George Orwell’s dystopian tale, Animal Farm. Since its first publication in 1945, readers have been gripped by the tale of animals revolting against human rule, but the story is rarely seen onstage. The production of this unflinching exploration of personal freedom bursts into life as it’s directed by the newly appointed Participation and Young People’s Director at the Mercury Theatre, Filiz Ozcan.
And with the start of summer approaching fast, it can only mean one thing- time to announce the Mercury Panto for 2015! After last year’s roaring success of Cinderella, audience this year will be transported to Old Peking to join Aladdin for the adventure of a lifetime!
Aladdin dreams of providing a better life for his mother, Window Twanky and brother Wishee Washee, as well as marrying beautiful Princess Jasmine. When the wicked magician Abanazer tricks him into helping him find a magic lamp in a secret cavern in the high hills, Aladdin soon finds himself trapped with only a battered old lamp for company. It’s only when he rubs the scruffy lamp that his adventure really begins!
Directed by Daniel Buckroyd, Mercury Theatre’s own Artistic Director and starring Dale Superville as Wishee Washee, Aladdin will have an extra week of performances compared to previous years and will run from Saturday 28 November until Sunday 10 January.
Visiting Productions
The 2015 visiting productions continue their stellar performances with a host of live music.
Kicking off the summer of music, will be a pair of rocking Britpop tributes, Blurb and The Kaiser Theifs, approved by both Blur and The Kaiser Chiefs. Performing on the 20th anniversary of the Blur vs Oasis Battle of Britpop as well as top hits such as Song 2, Parklife, Country House, Ruby and I Predict A Riot, this high energy tribute band deliver with the same energy and enthusiasm as the band themselves.
For the musical lovers, they won’t want to miss stars from West End smashes including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and The Producers, perform a two-hour feast of musical theatre’s greatest hits in Masters of the House Sing The Musicals. The all new-score for 2015 includes all-time favourites from Chicago, Evita, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Wicked!, Miss Saigon and many, many more.
The King of Pop and the Queen of the Night, are paid tribute to this season! Jackson Live in Concert and Whitney Queen of the Night. Jackson Live in Concert is back to pay homage to Michael Jackson with all-live vocals, superb musicians and dancers, fabulous costumes and all the signature dance moves! Whitney Queen of the Night is a stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time. The award-winning production features a stellar line up with rising West End star Rebecca Freckleton, who delivers a breathtaking performance as Whitney.
The Simon and Garfunkel Story arrives at the Mercury Theatre, directly after its success in London’s West End and a sold out arena tour. Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this 50th anniversary celebration features a full live band performing all the hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water and many more.
Chris Barber, one of Europe’s most successful and influential bandleader, brings his 10-piece band to the Mercury to play a selection of his favourite music. From his roots in New Orleans style in Bourbon Street Parade to the early music of Duke Ellington and Sidney Bechet, The Big Chris Barber Band offers an evening of world-class jazz.
Jay Rayner, resident food expert on The One Show, award-winning journalist, writer and restaurant critic, examines our love affair with lousy reviews, reads accounts of excruciating nights and looks at the worst reviews of his own work in My Dining Hell.
Tickets are available to friends and supporters of the theatre from Tuesday, 7th April. Tickets go on general sale a week after on Tuesday 14th April.
< Back to the newsThe Mercury Theatre in Colchester is the most active producing theatre in the East of England, and is a vital centre of excellence in the East's growing crea...
View attraction
