What a month. After years of meticulous planning, we’ve finally opened the Mercury’s pop-up theatre space Mercury at Abbey Field.

While our theatre building gets a much deserved make-over we’ve found a new glorious home on Abbey Field, which I’m sure anyone that comes to visit will agree is nothing short of spectacular.

The past few weeks have been a monumental time for our wonderful team behind the Mercury magic.

It took 15 members of the team (plus some) a week to put together the infrastructure and turn the tent into a theatre.

And wow, did they do a good job.

From the lights showcasing the beautiful trees outside the venue, to the ginormous bright pink bar, to the posh toilets (yes, really!), this space really has a magical wonderland festival quality to it.

It took five articulated lorries, and two big vans to get it all there and set up.

The team have run in miles and miles of cable, moved tonnes of fencing, staging, and scenery, as well as rigging around a 150 lights in this time.

I couldn’t be prouder of our fantastic team working day in day out to make our dream a reality for the public of Colchester.

So now that we have this space, what can you expect?

Well, not only do we have a packed season full of side-splitting comedy, brilliant music and fascinating talks but we also have our toe-tapping production of Oliver!, which we have co-produced with Colchester Operatic Society and Colchester Operatic Society Second Edition.

You might have seen some of our brilliant cast on our Mercury float at Colchester Carnival this weekend.

That talented bunch, along with the stage management team and our new creative director Ryan McBryde have been hard at work in rehearsals getting those finishing touches down and getting the show ready for opening night on September 27 which we are confident audiences are going to love.

After Oliver! we’ve got brilliant entertainment lined up from Madagascar to Avenue Q and the season is rounded off with the magical Cinderella.

The Mercury pantomime is a key component for many local families over the festive season and this year we hope it will be bigger and better than ever with all the magic and wonderment we can throw at it.

While all of this excitement takes place at Abbey Field, works continue to tick along on the Mercury Theatre site – the cranes have been moving, the steel structures are now in and the building is starting to take shape from the outside.

With the tent ready to officially open next week, and with just a year to go until we open our beautiful new theatre, the Mercury fun has only just begun!