After 5 years in the role of Creative Director at the Mercury, Ryan McBryde has made the decision to leave and pursue a freelance career in theatre at the end of May this year.
During his tenure, Ryan has directed 9 successful Mercury Productions, consolidated our relations with national touring companies through our Associate Companies and re-energised our work with new and emerging artists through our professional development programme. In addition, he has led the expansion and growth of our Creative Engagement work both at the Mercury and within the community.
The Mercury celebrates 2023/24 as it most successful year ever in its 87-year history from audience attendance and the expansion of its Creative Engagement and Talent Development Programmes. Our work has reached over 170,000people across Colchester and Essex.
The Mercury’s Board of Directors will commence a recruitment process for Ryan’s successor in the next few weeks.
GRAMMY-Award winning duo Brothers Osborne announce their tour of the UK and Ireland in January of 2025.
Since the troupe’s inception 30 years ago, YAMATO Drummers have stunned the world with their visually striking Taiko drum adorned set ups and heart thumping rhythms, the company’s originator Masa Ogawa transporting the ancient Japanese performance form to the masses. The troupe’s next show stopping performance – The Wings of the Phoenix set to take to the Peacock Theatre stage from Tuesday 4th until Saturday 22nd June. Ahead of opening night, Masa tells us more about the show’s premise, why he’s excited to bring the show to London – one of the world’s greatest hubs for performance and entertainment and why you should attend the show!
Today, multi-platinum artist Russ announces his highly anticipated European and UK leg of his it was you all along tour. The tour will hit 16 major cities, kicking off on Sunday 1st September in Lisbon, Portugal, with stops in London, Manchester, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and more before wrapping up on Sunday 17th November in Stockholm, Sweden. Please see below for full routing and venue information.
Following the news of her highly anticipated third studio album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, set for release on May 17 [pre-order/add/save 
Off the back of Ms. Jackson’s highly successful and sold out Together Again tour in North America, five-time GRAMMY ® Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®️ Inductee Janet Jackson reveals she will be extending her tour to Europe, adding in multiple stops across the continent. This will be Ms. Jackson’s first UK performance since her iconic 2019 Glastonbury Festival performance.
Making its debut in 2021, crime-drama series BMF (Black Mafia Family) has proven its prowess with a steadily increasing loyal fanbase, its latest season, season 3 witnessing the highest multi-platform ratings thus far. The success of season 3, of course manifesting into a season 4, with the announcement of a renewal. The tale of two brothers – Demetrius Edward “Big Meech” Flenory (played by real-life son Demetrius Flenory Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (played by Da’Vinchi) amassing an elaborate drug empire in 80s America one that has witnessed the duo repetitively referenced musically as a marker of their scope globally, currently dramatised weekly on STARZ and various platforms. Starring as Big Meech’s love interest ‘Angel’, rising star Kadianne Whyte highlights the tale of a struggling dancer brought up in harrowing circumstances – having lost her family at a young age in a car crash, she’s had to fend for herself, brought up in foster care, she strives for a happier future – Big Meech someone who could give her a chance at that. Ahead of the season 3 finale on Friday 3rd May, Kadianne tells us more about approaching playing Angel, training to become a nurse before deciding to pursue her dream of becoming a performer and what she’s learned from working on the show.
Returning for another year this bank holiday weekend, the UK’s biggest celebration of hip hop culture returns with a fresh line up of inventive, creative and innovative dance works. On Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May, dance collectives from across the globe will continue on with the Breakin’ Convention tradition of igniting imaginations whilst pushing the culture forward. Talented South London originated collective Gully South Block forms part of Saturday’s roster at Sadler’s Wells, this performance marking their second appearance at the festival – a testament to their skillset and determination, especially in their pursuit to highlight the powerful dance style of krump. Ahead of their performance, Chaquille tells us more about the concepts explored within their dance work, utilising the collectives skillsets to choreograph works and what the audience can expect!