Mercury's anniversary year has classics and new drama (From Gazette)

Mercury's anniversary year has classics and new drama

9:00pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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IT’S what you would expect from the Mercury Company’s tenth anniversary season. A modern take on an old classic, some cutting-edge drama, a firm family favourite and something very new.

And it all starts on September 23 with the much talked about Depot, a new production written and directed by Gari Jones, the man behind the recent Accidental Death of An Anarchist and the Lonesome West.

Designed by Sara Perks, who created the incredible First World War set for Journey's End, it will take place in the 1930s Tram Shed, in Magdalen Street, until October 11, and will feature some of Colchester’s hidden voices and forgotten stories.

It is being run as part of the Gift Project, a series of events marking the company’s ten years, and will be jam packed with familiar faces such as Roger Delves-Broughton, Christine Absalom, Ignatius Anthony, Clare Humphrey and Tim Treslove.

Next up will be Nora, the version of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House adapted by the legendary director Ingmar Bergman, which runs from November 5 to 21.

It will see the return of one of the Mercury’s longest-standing directors, Sue Lefton who was behind such successful shows as Death of a Salesman, Our Country’s Good and the brilliant Caucasian Chalk Circle.

November will also see the return of US-based Shakespeare and Company in a co-production with the Mercury of Through the Leaves by German realist playwright, Franz Xaver Kroetz.

The play, which deals with a destructive relationship, stars Tina Packer and Nigel Gore and will run in the studio from November 18 to 28.

Last, but by no means least, is the tinsel-infused giggle-fest that is the Mercury Theatre Company’s annual pantomime, which this year is Cinderella.

Sticking to their tried and tested run of very good shows, it will be written and directed by Janice Dunn and will star Christine Absalom, Roger Delves-Broughton and Tim Treslove as the dame. It will take place from December 4 to January 9.

Tickets for all shows go on sale from Monday, available from the box office on 01206 573948 or on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk See next week’s Gazette for a run down of the rest of the Mercury season, as well as details of the other events in the Gift programme.