Childs steps down from Mercury Theatre

Executive Producer and joint CEO TRACEY CHILDS will depart from Colchester's Mercury Theatre at the end of March following nine years at the helm. 

Under joint leadership with Executive Director  STEVE MANNIX,  the  pair headed a £14.2m refurbishment of the venue in 2020/21. They also oversaw the theatre's first West End transfer with its co-production of Unbelievable. 

Mannix said working with Childs had been an "absolute pressure," calling her energy and commitment to supporting artists and creatives "inspiring". 

Mercury's Chair ROBERT WEST said: "Tracey’s impeccable taste and sage leadership has been such a bonus for the Mercury.

West added that she leaves Mercury Theatre in "great shape" for the future. 

Childs commented: "It has been my joy and my great privilege to lead the Mercury Theatre.

"I am so proud of the welcoming space we have created, the glorious productions we’ve mounted, and the doubling of the turnover in the last nine years to become a successful, respected £5m organisation.

"I feel it is now time to move on and create space for new ideas and fresh thinking in my post."

Childs will step down after confirming the theatre's programming until the summer of 2025. Recruitment for her successor will begin in the next few weeks.