THE first-night of the Mercury Theatre's latest touring production had a whole host of famous names attending.

Taking place at the Richmond Theatre in London, the list of celebrities turning up to see the show included Hollywood 'A' listers Sir Ian McKellen and Luke Evans both of whom appeared in the Hobbit films, who were there to see friend, Mercury actress Gloria Onitiri.

She is one of six actors in the cast, which also includes Liverpool 1 actor Mark Womack and William Troughton, the grandson of Doctor Who actor Patrick, and son of Royal Shakespeare Company member, David.

Bruce Norris’ Clybourne Park is a razor-sharp satire which lifts the lid on race and real estate in a fictional Chicago neighbourhood over two eras; the late fifties as a black family move into a suburban white enclave, and 50 years on, in the same house as gentrification sets in and the roles are reversed.

Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike since its debut on Broadway in 2009, Clybourne Park has been awarded Best Play at the Olivier Awards, the Evening Standard Best Play Award, the South Bank Sky Arts Theatre Award and Critics’ Circle Best Play Award.

It’s recent run at the Mercury marked its regional premiere before the play went on a tour of the country, which as well as Richmond will include Guildford, Cambridge, Oxford and the prestigious Clwyd Theatr Cymru in North Wales.

As well as Sir Ian McKellen and Luke Evans, other star names at the Richmond opening included West End leading man Matt Henry, Mr Selfridge's Ron Cook and

Sue Holderness, who is perhaps best known as Marlene in Only Fools and Horses.

Mercury artistic director Daniel Buckroyd, said: “The tour has got off to a really positive start. I think the people of Colchester are rightly proud of our work, and it’s exciting to showcase ‘Made in Colchester’ theatre to the best in the industry.”