Something to be proud of - an outside shot of the theatre Picture: RHIANNA HOWARD TAKE a look at Colchester’s dazzling, revamped Mercury Theatre. Today we can draw back the curtain and share these images of the popular Balkerne Gate venue, showing off its vastly-improved facilities after a multi-million pound upgrade. A huge £11m extension and refurbishment began in 2018 and is now complete - hopefully safeguarding the future of performing arts in Colchester. The new-look venue includes a bigger, brighter foyer space, open all day with a new café bar, a redeveloped main auditorium with additional seats, a new rehearsal room and revamped, extended backstage facilities.