GreyFriars Hotel in Colchester has announced a generous £100,000 grant to support Mercury Theatre, Essex’s award-winning production house, in delivering its community engagement and youth placement programmes over the coming years.
Mercury Theatre is a vibrant cultural hub in the East of England, known for producing world-class theatre through Mercury Productions and Mercury Originals. The theatre’s commitment to community and talent development is reflected in its participation programmes, which provide everyday opportunities for creativity and innovation.
GreyFriars, a luxury hotel and dining destination located at the top of East Hill, is renowned for its 5-star service, elegant rooms, and exceptional hospitality. The partnership with Mercury Theatre aligns with its ethos of supporting local excellence and community enrichment.
Over the next two years, the grant will fund bursaries for the Mercury Young Company (MYC), ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent young people from accessing creative opportunities. These include workshops, after-school and holiday programmes, courses, and productions.
The funding will also empower Mercury Theatre’s creative engagement team to work with marginalized groups across Essex. Through drama and arts-based activities, the theatre aims to foster community cohesion, reduce social isolation, and improve mental health.
Additionally, the grant will support school outreach initiatives, bringing the curriculum to life through enriching drama and arts experiences for students across all key stages.
A key component of the grant is the introduction of an 18-month paid Technical Theatre Placement. This opportunity will allow a school leaver with backstage aspirations to train while earning, gaining hands-on experience with professional productions at Mercury Theatre.
Steve Mannix, CEO of Mercury Theatre, said:
“We are over the moon with the support from GreyFriars. Together, we share a strong belief in the power of Colchester’s wider community. This partnership is a vital step in securing our community engagement and placement programmes for the years ahead. In these uncertain and often confusing times – especially for young people – this support enables us to keep investing in the next generation. It helps us provide safe spaces, meaningful engagement, and the life-changing skills that young people need to build brighter futures.”
More information can be found here
