News: Colchester Mercury announces new leadership team

Colchester’s Mercury Theatre has today announced the appointment of a new leadership team for the Essex venue.

Daniel Buckroyd will take up the role of Artistic Director, while Theresa Veith will join as Executive Director. Both will take up post in early July.

In announcing the appointments today, Richard Bailey, Chairman of Colchester Mercury Theatre said: “I am delighted to welcome Daniel Buckroyd as Artistic Director and Theresa Veith as Executive Director to the Mercury.  They come to us with enviable reputations: Daniel from his role as Chief Executive and Artistic Director of New Perspectives Theatre Company; and Theresa from her role as Chief Executive of Holton Lee and, previously, joint Chief Executive of London Bubble Theatre.”

The venue received considerable interest in the roles, an interest that delighted Bailey:“It was fantastic to have such an excellent response and such a strong field to choose from.”

The Colchester Mercury, one of only three producting theatres in the Eastern region, presented 279 performances in 2011, 162 of which were performed by the in-house Mercury Theatre Company,

For Daniel Buckroyd, the appeal of working at the Mercury was compelling:“It is every theatre director’s dream to be able to develop their work within a well-run and flourishing theatre building and the Mercury Theatre is just that.  It enjoys amazing support from its audiences, artists, staff and stakeholders and it will be a privilege to lead the team and build on the fantastic artistic achievements of this important regional producing venue.”

Theresa Veith is equally excited about taking up her new role: “There is something very special about managing an artistic organisation with the passion, imagination and sheer hard work that people bring to making theatre.  I am really looking forward to getting to know the team and to developing the theatre’s business locally, regionally and nationally.”

The pair will take up their full time roles in early July.  In the meantime, the interim team of Ruth Eastwood and Sean Sadler continue to manage the venue operation.