The Mercury Theatre in Colchester have received the Best New Play Award at the 2025 UK Theatre Awards for their world premiere Mercury Original production of Flumps by Essex playwright Emma Jo Pallett, which debuted at the theatre in June 2025.
The Mercury Original, in association with The Thelmas, was brought to life by multi-award winning director and Artistic Director of The Thelmas, Madelaine Moore (Santi & Naz – Soho Theatre & National Tour, Son Of A Bitch – Southwark Playhouse & Summerhall), and followed young siblings Felicity and Harvey as they navigate sibling bonds and survival through the new dark comedy.
Flumps marked the seventh show written by a Mercury Playwright and produced by the Mercury since 2021, with their eighth show – Swallow The Lake by Tassa Deparis – recently completing its run this month in the Mercury Studio. In February 2026, award-winning Mercury Playwright and screenwriter Ava Pickett’s adaptation of The Manningtree Witches will have its world premiere on the Colchester theatre’s stage from 28 February 2026 – 14 March 2026, which will be directed by the Mercury Theatre’s Artistic Director Natasha Rickman.
The Mercury Theatre are committed to supporting another eight titles through research & development from writers on their talent development scheme, supported by Kenny Emson as their Literary Associate.
Mercury Theatre is the artistic powerhouse in the East – a vital, vibrant, welcoming centre of culture for the people of Colchester, Essex and beyond. The award-winning theatre presented in the auditorium and studio transforms and enriches the lives of the local community. Through Mercury Productions and Mercury Originals they produce world-class theatre, reinventing familiar stories and conjuring up bold, new ones. Their talent development programme seeks out fresh voices and stories that encourage people to see through the eyes of others. The Mercury Theatre’s participation programmes connect communities and celebrate creative potential by providing people with everyday opportunities to be artistic and innovative.
Natasha Rickman, Artistic Director of Mercury Theatre, said of the announcement, “This award for Flumps is a testament to Emma Jo Pallet’s extraordinary talent and the power of nurturing local voices through the Mercury Creatives Playwright Programme. It’s a phenomenal achievement for a debut play and a proud moment for our Mercury Originals, once again putting Essex talent firmly on the national map. We were thrilled to work in association with The Thelmas and an extraordinary cast and creative team.”.
