TAKE a look at Colchester’s dazzling, revamped Mercury Theatre.
Today we can draw back the curtain and share these images of the popular Balkerne Gate venue, showing off its vastly-improved facilities after a multi-million pound upgrade.
A huge £11m extension and refurbishment began in 2018 and is now complete - hopefully safeguarding the future of performing arts in Colchester.
The new-look venue includes a bigger, brighter foyer space, open all day with a new café bar, a redeveloped main auditorium with additional seats, a new rehearsal room and revamped, extended backstage facilities.
The number of loos has been doubled and, crucially, for the first time, the building is accessible throughout.
The new community space and dance studio is equipped to support the best new talent and, in addition, the company is introducing a ‘bring your own cup policy’ to reduce single-use plastic, as well as increasing the building’s energy efficiency with the expansion of LED lighting.
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In fact, the Mercury is now the most sustainable building in the town centre.
The Mercury Rising project has been made possible with the help of grants from Arts Council England, Colchester Council, Essex County Council, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and European Regional Development Fund.
In addition, generous public and private donations have helped create the funds to give the town a theatre to be truly proud of.
Executive director Steve Mannix said he was “over the moon” with the result of the transformation.
Speaking at the launch Mr Mannix said: “There has been a great team effort.
“This is a venue has been built for local people by local people and, against all the odds, we have been able to keep going.
“People really value the Mercury Theatre.
“We represent the best of the town and of the £11.3million we have spent, we have spent £10million in the local economy through contractors.”
But the road to completion has not been without its bumps.
The theatre has faced a host of challenges over the past few years during its transformation project.
The coronavirus pandemic delayed the works significantly, and much of the new furniture had to be chosen via Zoom calls, rather than in person, due to restrictions.
Some of the equipment needed for the renovation was even stuck on the container ship which blocked the Suez Canal for six days, causing further setbacks to the project.
The renovation also ended up costing £1million more than its £10million initial budget.
However, Mr Mannix and executive producer Tracey Childs both feel the improved building has managed to exceed all of their expectations.
Ms Childs said ticket sales for the upcoming Aladdin pantomime alone have reached £150,000 already.
“We were not sure how people would react to the transformation, but people have really missed the Mercury and have been booking tickets,” she said.
“I think now most people have been vaccinated, they are looking forward to going to the theatre together.”
She said anyone can make use of the new café and bar space without booking tickets for a show.
Ms Childs and Mr Mannix said they felt “humbled” by the generosity of residents who raised £660,000 towards the renovation works.
The rest of the funding was secured through Arts Council England, Colchester Council, Essex Council, South East Local Enterprise Partnership and European Regional Development Fund, as well as the Government’s Kickstart Cultural Recovery Fund.
The season opens in July with Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, directed by the company’s creative director Ryan McBryde.
It will be followed in October by the UK premiere of Antigone directed by Dawn Walton.
Also launching this season is Mercury Originals, a programme of new plays, showcasing the voices of local writers. The year concludes with the return of the pantomime Aladdin.
Visit mercurytheatre.co.uk for more.
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