THE latest 'Made in Colchester' production at the Mercury Theatre features a 30-strong choir drawn from the Colchester community and alongside actors Josh Collins and Anna O'Grady, they provide a pivotal role in David Grieg's timely drama, The Events.

Drawing on the tragedy of the Norwegian summer camp massacre in Utøya by Anders Behring Breivik in 2011, the play deals with how a community begins to recover from a terrible attack, and where goodness and hope can be found in the face of unbridled anger.

Directed by Dan Sherer, the Mercury's Associate for New Work and Talent Development and the man behind the hugely successful run of Sandi Toksvig's Bully Boy in 2015, The Events runs in the Studio Theatre at the Mercury from Friday, June 1, to June 17. For tickets go on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01206 573948.

Neil D'Arcy-Jones caught up with four members of the Choir to talk about being in the play but also what music means to them.

Lilli Green, from Colchester, is currently a member of the Mercury Theatre's Early Career Development Programme after leaving the Sixth Form College last year. In the past she has been a key member of the Mercury's Youth Theatre appearing in several of their Fresh Festivals and productions the most recent of which was Hospital Food, which formed part of The National Theatre Connections project.

She says: "I play a bit of guitar, mainly for myself, and I can sing a bit but being in the Choir for this show has been so much more than just doing something musical.

"I wanted to do it so I could see the process of putting on a play like this and one of the most enjoyable aspects has been watching the actors and Dan work at the script.

"Musically I'm a bit of a fan of Frank Ocean at the moment but overall I like music because it brings people together and that's exactly what it has done with those I've met doing this."

Harry Bowen lives in West Bergholt. He's just finished his second year of a drama degree at Essex University and has been in several theatre productions before including Romeo and Juliet at the university's Lakeside Theatre and As You Like It for the Priory Players in Colchester's Castle Park.

"I have a bit of an eclectic taste in music," he says. "I love a lot of classical music and I'm a big Frank Sinatra fan.

"Music for me has always been a great way of exploring new worlds, which is why I think it can be a really important tool in theatre. Through music you can envisage new characters and new realities. It helps the process.

"Being in the Choir has been a real honour because I've wanted to work with Dan for a while but we've also had the added bonus of working with Scott Gray (the group's choirmaster). In the end it's been like joining a lovely little theatre family of friends who I hope will stay in touch for a long time."

Yasmin Jafri lives in Ipswich but has been involved with the Mercury Theatre for a number of years.

"Most of the stuff I've done is with the Mercury," she smiles.

That includes Quadrophenia for the Young Company and also reaching the final of last year's Monologue Slam at the Colchester theatre.

As well as a degree in filmmaking at Essex University, Yasmin has also trained at Second City in Toronto, Canada, where she studied acting and improvisation.

"Musically, I really like surreal stuff and songs by international artists. At the moment I really like this Dutch artist called Eefje de Visser," she tells me. "I'm such a fan I'm seeing if I can be in one of her music videos.

"I think music can be a very powerful thing, particularly in terms of the cathartic way you can explore different issues and yourself.

"Being in The Events has been great for so many reasons but one of the best is being in the same room as like minded people. That's always a joy."

Christine Runicles, from Colchester, has been a keen member of the Mercury's Act V group for several years. She was first in the Mercury Company's tenth anniversary show, Depot, in 2009, since when she has also been a part of the community chorus in Grapes of Wrath and most recently Much Ado About Nothing.

"I learnt a lot about Shakespeare from that show," she smiles, "and I'm loving being a part of The Events. What I really like about being in productions like this is learning new things, especially from the young people. I love working with them and they know so much."

Christine also relies on the youngsters for musical tips.

"I've discovered Rag n Bone Man," she grins, "who is great. That's from the grandchildren. But I also like a lot of classical music and I'm quite partial to a bit of Coldplay. Music for me is about relaxation. It's me time. Listening to it really helps you escape from the hectic lives we all lead."