Theatre and Stage Shows

Catch a great show on your visit to Colchester at one of the city's fantastic Theatres and Performing Arts venues. For show-stopping touring productions, visit the Mercury Theatre. Looking for an intimate venue? Check out the cosy 81 seat Headgate Theatre. If you're in the market for world-class comedians or top-tier tribute bands, head over to Charter Hall.

From traditional stage plays to one-man shows, stand up comedy, or even something more experimental, Colchester is host to a great selection of theatre and stage shows throughout the year. In the summer months you can often get out of the traditional venues and find something in the open air at one Colchesters rural attractions too.

Browse our listings below to find what shows are on now and coming up in Colchester.

Can't find anything here? You may also be interested in checking out what live music is coming up.

Al Murray: All You Need Is Guv Feb 12

Hey cool cats! Hot on the heels of a sell-out 138 date tour of these green and groovy isles, The Guv will be back, baby, with a brand-new stand-up show for 2026. There's no denying the world's a mess daddio, but there is a glimmer of hope as the globe's favourite Pub…

Pete Firman: Tricks & Giggles Feb 14

With over 4.5 million social media followers and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is the UK's top comic magician. Join him for an evening of 'Tricks & Giggles', as Pete brings his trademark blend of magic and comedy from the small screen to…

Darren Walsh: Do You Like Puns? Feb 19

Age 16+ Recommended ʞɔǝɥ ←flippin' heck! Witness a pun Goliath in person, as Darren Walsh brings his 8ft frame and award winning act on the road. From appearing on Comic Relief to his ‘Jokes on the street’ series on social media, he’s been racking up…

On Golden Pond Feb 25

It's May 1979. Ethel and Norman Thayer arrive for their 48th summer on the shores of Golden Pond in Maine. Norman, tetchy, outspoken and pessimistic, is starting to lose his memory. He's also about to turn 80 and he's in no mood to celebrate. His long-suffering but…

The Manningtree Witches Feb 28

A country divided. A town on it’s knees. A teenage girl with a dangerous secret. As the Civil War rages on, in the quiet town of Manningtree, most of the men have gone off to fight, leaving the women to run the town. 17-year-old Rebecca West is like any teenager, brimming…

The Comedy Store Mar 06

With 40 years' experience in the business and as the premier name in comedy, The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent, and remains the place to see tomorrow's stars today. The likes of John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Sarah…

Drag Me To The 80's Mar 07

Meet the cast of our 80's Divas and join us on an unforgettable journey as this amazing production delivers a dazzling fusion of nostalgia, empowerment and a celebration of the extraordinary. Get ready to dance, sing and be captivated by the powerhouse vocals of the queens…

Practically Imperfect Mar 07

The very private P.L. Travers lives quietly in Chelsea. Out of the blue, her own creation, Mary Poppins, suddenly appears in Travers' office, asking difficult questions she'd rather not answer. The fun-filled chaos is soundtracked by the kind of Edwardian music Travers…

The Britpop Show Mar 07

Join award-winning writer and comedian Marc Burrows for a multi-media stand up celebration of one of British music’s most iconic and enduring movements, marking 30 years since the iconic Blur vs. Oasis chart war. Music journalist Marc (Guardian, The Quietus, Big Issue)…

Desiree Burch: The Golden Wrath Mar 10

There comes a day when you look around and wonder “is the world a raging bin fire, or is it perimenopause?” The answer, my friend, is “yes”. Authentic, curious, and gleefully irascible, storyteller and comedian Desiree Burch leads a madcap voyage through…

Art Mar 11

Art

Serge has bought a modern painting for a huge sum of money. Marc hates it and cannot believe that a friend of his could possibly want such a work. Yvan attempts, unsuccessfully, to placate both sides. If your friendship is based on tacit mutual agreement, what happens when one…

Title Goes Here - An Improv Comedy Mar 20

Touring nationwide with a core cast of top-notch comedians, each performance features a different local guest actor, keeping the comedy fresh, unpredictable, and full of surprises. From audience-driven scenes to bizarre games and on-the-spot songs, it's comedy made up right…

The Very Best of Tommy Cooper (Just Like That) Mar 24

Presented by Daniel Taylor Productions Ltd in partnership with That’s Entertainment Productions. Billed as one of the top ten attractions at the Glastonbury Festival 2023, this hilarious one-man show recaptures the mayhem and misfiring magic of one of Britain’s best…

The Grand Babylon Hotel Mar 25

The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett Adapted for the stage by Deborah McAndrew Directed by Conrad Nelson Nella Racksole wants steak and beer for her birthday treat, but these are not on the menu of the exclusive Grand Babylon Hotel – so her American Railroad Millionaire…

Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons Mar 27

Jason Manford is back with his new live show, A Manford All Seasons. Jason's been busy since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn't changed a bit. A Manford All Seasons is Jason's latest…

Impromptu Shakespeare Mar 28

Hold onto your doublets, ruffs and trunk hose. The Bard is back! With story and verse improvised in the moment, enjoy a riotous new Shakespeare play every time – performed by a whip smart cast. WINNER: Best Comedy Event, Buxton Fringe. "Simply sublime" ★★★★★…

Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath Mar 28

A monster’s guide to tolerance and temperance. Jess can feel herself becoming an emotional wildebeest right when her world (and the whole world, thanks) demands cool, collected ultra detached saint-like kindness and understanding. S**t. She goes digging around in her DNA…

Rob Auton: Can Mar 29

Multi award-winning writer, performer and actor Rob Auton presents his debut narrative show. Having written 11 critically acclaimed shows on specific themes, Rob is now keen on telling you a story he has written about a man he made up called CAN. At one point in his life CAN was…

Game of Crones Apr 01

Sharpen your swords! A&E Comedy return with their epic sequel to Enter the Dragons. Game of Crones sees our dauntless fools don the armour of absurdity and march into the "third age"—society's invisible wasteland. Funny, feral, and gloriously unapologetic: a…

Three Men In A Boat Apr 16

A fresh adaptation of the classic comic tale. Join Walsall's very own Jerome K. Jerome as he recounts his quixotic journey along the River Thames with his friends Harris and George (not forgetting Montmorency the dog!). As funny now as it was all those years ago. Jonathan…

Jim Davidson: Last Man Standing…Just! Apr 19

Shadow-banned, cancelled, and still going strong, Jim remains defiant in a world of censorship—speaking his mind and drawing packed crowds who crave comedy without a filter. Fresh from the success of The Next Chapter, he's back to do what he does best: challenge the norm…

The Invincibles Apr 22

Discover the Dagenham Invincibles, a women's football team formed in 1917. They never lost a game. But when peace was restored, the factory girls had to hand in their boots, and their story faded into obscurity. Maya is following England's progress in the 2023 Women's…

SOLD OUT: Mike Wozniak: The Bench Apr 24

New stand-up tour show from Mike Wozniak in which a story about a bench will be prominent. Previous experience of or strong opinions about benches not required. Let Mike worry about that. As seen on Taskmaster, Man Down and Junior Taskmaster. As heard on Three Bean Salad podcast…