The Mercury Theatre in Colchester has revealed the selected artists for its 2025-2026 Mercury Creatives talent development programmes, including Mercury Playwrights, Mercury Directors, and Mercury Producers.
Scott Hurran, Talent and New Work Producer, said, “Essex is a total hotbed of creative talent, and you can feel the momentum building. Artists from this region are shaping the national theatre landscape in bold, thrilling ways. This new cohort of Mercury Playwrights, Directors and Producers continues that surge of imagination and ambition, rooted in the communities we serve and ready to make their mark.
We are proud to champion local talent at every stage of their career, creating space to take risks, build skills and forge lasting creative relationships. The Playwrights’ Programme is led by our Literary Associate Kenny Emson, our Directors Programme by Mercury Artistic Director Natasha Rickman, and our Producers Programme by Senior Producer Antony Stuart-Hicks.”
Mercury Playwrights
Led by award-winning writer Kenny Emson, the Mercury Playwrights programme offers monthly sessions and one-to-one dramaturgy support. The Mercury sought bold, ambitious voices, especially from underrepresented backgrounds.
Notable alumni include Ava Pickett (1536), Emma Jo Pallett (Flumps), Martha Loader (Bindweed), Kelly Jones (My Mother’s Funeral: The Show), and Waleed Akhtar (The P Word).
This year’s cohort features: Farah Ashraf (Pink Rabbit), Freddie Machin (The Real Estate), Georgie Dettmer (Are You Watching), Jess Ashley (Fish Outta Water), Macey Rhianne, Max Morgan (Carrion), Rachael Sparkes (The Committee), Sid Sagar (Biting Point), Tim Mac (Take Care), and Will Lord (The Billionaire Inside Your Head).
Upcoming productions include Will Lord’s The Billionaire Inside Your Head at Hampstead Theatre and Georgie Dettmer’s Are You Watching? at the Royal Court.
Mercury Directors
Led by Artistic Director Natasha Rickman, the Mercury Directors programme guides participants through the page-to-stage process.
Alumni include Eloise Pennycott (Barrier(s), National Theatre), Annabel Caldwell (Our Walk Through Our World), Jessy Roberts (PAKit In, Thirst), Richard Bland (The Clacton Three), and Heather Davis (Fresh Knickers (and a Gin & Tonic)).
This year’s cohort includes: Alice Eve, Calum Rennie, James Weisz, Kim Wright, Nicky Matthews, and Sophia Capasso.
Mercury Producers
Led by Antony Stuart-Hicks and Scott Hurran, the Mercury Producers programme focuses on production skills across scales.
Alumni include Mitch Donaldson (Shoddy Detective & The Art of Deception) and Jamie Rycroft, both current Stage One Producers.
This year’s cohort includes: Bernadette Wakeling, Candace Leung, Mark Cheng, Rebecca Samuels, Tom Milton, Tom Stock, and Vicky MacRae.
Scott Hurran added, “I’m looking forward to welcoming this new cohort to the Mercury family. Together, we’re shaping a nurturing and rigorous environment that puts artists first and celebrates the rich creative energy in our region. I can’t wait to see the ideas and stories that will burst out of Colchester and into the wider world.”
More information can be found here.
