Should you know about your dad’s seduction techniques? In 2025 Milo Edwards found a box of old letters in the back of his late Mother’s wardrobe. Catamaran is a show about his parents and the letters they wrote and the 1980s, in which Milo asks what remains of…
Action Hero are preparing something for the audience. A song and dance. Its no big deal. Just a little something. A collection of memories, musings, colourful costumes, light entertainment, comic relief, dancing, really easy stuff, really good fun stuff. To help us…
Andy Zaltzman – host of The News Quiz and The Bugle podcast, statistician on Test Match Special, Taskmaster series 18 champion – returns with his stand-up review of the global year, for the first time this decade. Following his sell-out The Zaltgeist tour…
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” When Old Major shares his dream of a Golden Future Time, the animals of Manor Farm dare to believe that another world is possible. Change is in the air. Hooves thunder. Gates are broken. The old order…
He’s the comedian who showered FIFA president Sepp Blatter with cash, handed Prime Minister Theresa May her P45, and created the smash-hit BBC comedy series Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show. Simon is now one of the most exciting stand-up comedians in the world to see live…
Ingenious. Invisible. Insane. Based on H. G. Wells' classic novella, this gripping one-man show follows the brilliant but deranged scientist Griffin, whose invisibility experiment unleashes a trail of terror across the Sussex countryside. Jonathan Goodwin brings a host of…
Join us for our Comedy Night, hosted by our brilliant regular MC Justin Panks. Opening the show we have, Diane Spencer who is best known for her online comedy specials and a growing online fanbase. Taking the middle spot is Sol Bernstein, the comic creation of Steve Jameson - a…
The Colchester Christmas Lights Switch On takes place at Lion Walk Shopping Centre on Saturday 14 November 2026. Join us for an evening of live music, dance performances and festive family fun as Colchester kicks off the Christmas season. It’s free to join us, with…
Love is a maze. Good luck getting out! When Teseo goes to meet his fate in the jaws of the monstrous Minotaur, little does he know that his greatest test is still to come, not finding his way through the labyrinth, but finding his way through a chaotic web of romantic…
After a side-splitting sell out show in March, Candlelit Comedy is returning once more to Layer Marney Tower. For one night only, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England becomes the backdrop for an unforgettable evening of stand-up. Taking place in the barn, three incredible…
This Christmas, the Mercury Theatre present the pantomime spectacular you’ve all BEAN waiting for – Jack and the Beanstalk ! Colchester panto legends Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville are back and ready to cause more mischief and mayhem in this GIANT adventure!…
Aristophanes, adapted by Nick Pelas Stage Theatre Company The imperious Lysistrata hatches an outrageous plan, a total sex strike until the men sign a peace treaty once and for all to end all wars. Adapted and directed by Nick Pelas, based on the original work by Aristophanes…
Ridiculed then revered, The Shaggs defied categorisation. IN BED WITH MY BROTHER attempt to wrangle their story into a three-act biopic. Part tribute act, part feminist reclamation, part rambling flight of ideas. PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD is about fate, freewill, power, patriarchy…
Matt is a powerful, deeply human theatre production based on the real-life experiences of writer, director and lead actor Peter Dewar. Raw, intimate and emotionally honest, it explores depression, anxiety, addiction and survival, opening up vital conversations around mental…
Award-winning comedian Sooz Kempner (Doom in Doctor Who’s Doom’s Day, The Now Show) has always felt a little like an imposter. Except in one area: singing! She could always rely on THAT. But when Sooz's voice suddenly stopped working the way it always had before…
Woven through the three course Christmas Dinner is this timeless narrative performed by Minty Spectre of Charles Dicken’s classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. The story is read by a narrator and accompanied by a vocal group to bring the characters alive. This is a…
Get ready to embark on a magical journey through the woods. In the village of Munchen Lunchen, discover whether Fairy Bluebell can rescue Hansel and Gretel before they are eaten by Nightshade, the wicked witch of the woods. This colourful, funny and magical adventure for all ages…
Every family has baggage. The Weirds have an entire circus. The Weirds have always been a little peculiar, but not one of them suspected they’d been cursed by their grandmother. At the moment of their birth, Annie Weird gave each of her five grandchildren a special power…
Meet our hero Jasper on a magical adventure into a winter wonderland! It’s the Christmas holidays, Jasper is ready for bed, but Mum and Dad are going out tonight. He finds it hard to sleep by himself and the babysitter, Great Aunt Alice, is no help at all. Staring at his…
Get ready to sing, dance, and shout 'Bingo!' as we turn your favourite Christmas hits into a night of non-stop fun! Festive Music Bingo is your ticket to cash prizes, laughter, and unforgettable good times. Mark off the songs as you hear them to win amazing prizes. No…
The best place by the festive fireside was always reserved for the storyteller. Join Edwyrdian Tales for an evening of haunting seasonal tales featuring chilling stories by M. R. James and Marjorie Bowen. From a sinister hotel room and a house of mourning to a windswept coastline…
I Hear Voices Theatre Company return for their now traditional (and extremely silly) evening of unquiet nonsense in a tale of mystery inspired (in part) by M.R. James and other writers of the incredible… Medievalist, antiquary and genial fear monger, Montague…
Star of Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, QI, Richard Osman's House of Games & Comedy Central Live; Ignacio Lopez returns with perhaps his most ambitious and pretentious project yet. Nada is the captivating comedy experiment which sees Spain’s Best Export…
Join Miles of Music for “Jingle All the Way”, a festive celebration of your favourite Christmas songs and tantalising harmonies, from ten wonderful years of singing together. All proceeds will support local charities and causes close to our hearts.
The Wizard of Oz Musical is coming to Colchester for Christmas 2026! In December 2026 Colchester Events and Stage Right Entertainments (the producers of Elf and Shrek: The Musical) will transform Charter Hall into the magical land of Oz with this spectacular production of The…