I have just been reading a report online in the Gazette about the Mercury Theatre’s forthcoming production, Depot.
A reader has pointed out an error in the report, which is evidently based on an error in the theatre’s own material. Indeed its current autumn/winter programme says: “Occupying the 1930s Tram Shed on Magdalen Street, Depot is a promenade performance, featuring some of Colchester’s hidden voices, lost souls and forgotten stories.”
Even if you didn’t grow up in Colchester, you certainly ought to be aware that all over Britain, in the 1930s trams were being replaced by buses.
Therefore a 1930s tram shed would be as anachronistic as a Victorian helicopter or a Tudor motorbike.
The Gazette reader has stated that the tram shed was in fact built in 1904. I assume this date is correct: it sounds about right.
As a regular Mercury theatregoer, I am disappointed that whoever writes its promotional material is ignorant of 20th-century social history.
Tim Oxton
Creffield Road
Colchester
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