The Mercury Theatre are proud to be able to share the award-winning musical Pieces of String, with online audiences, for free, via video platform Vimeo.

Gary Wood (Harry), Craig Mather (Edward) and Harper Jackson (Tom) in Pieces Of String. Photo: Robert Workman

Pieces Of String, a new British musical, which premiered at the Mercury in 2018, explores three generations of one family, alternating between the 1940s and the present day, and telling the story of a World War II soldier who returned with a secret that he would carry until the day he died.

The video will be available to view on Vimeo from 10am – 11:59pm on VE Day (8 May 2020). The link will be posted on this web page on Friday morning, and we hope as many people as possible will join us in watching this award-winning musical from the safety and comfort of their own homes during lockdown.

Gary Wood (Harry), Joel Harper-Jacksaon (Tom), Craig Mather (Edward, Andy Coxon (Ed) in Pieces Of String. Photo: Robert Workman

Written and composed by Gus Gowland, Pieces of String was developed by Perfect Pitch and co-produced by the Mercury Theatre Colchester and TBO Productions. The musical was a hit with audiences in Colchester, and went on to win the Stage Debut Award 2018 for Best Composer or Lyricist, as well as being nominated for Best Musical Theatre Bookwriting by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and Best Musical Production by UK Theatre Awards.

Ryan McBryde, Director of Pieces of String and the Mercury’s Creative Director says, “In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever that we find ways to reach out and connect with our local community. Despite being in lockdown we wanted to do something special to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. Streaming Gus Gowland’s heart-warming musical about soldiers during WW2 felt like the best way to celebrate the anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. And the celebrations don’t stop there. We’ll also be distributing a short film of our Youth Company reciting the war poem The Siren with their grandparents and we’re sending two local performers to the courtyards of Nursing Homes around Colchester, where they’ll lead a Sing-a-Long with the residents inside. We’re determined that isolation doesn’t stop us connecting this weekend!” To find out more about Pieces of String and #MercuryOnline visit www.mercurytheatre.co.uk. While all #MercuryOnline activity is free to its users, the Mercury hope that those who feel able to do so will consider supporting the theatre with a donation, either online at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/support or by texting MERCURY to 70085 to give £5*.

The Mercury’s Customer Experience team are also available to discuss all Mercury Online activities (or just for a friendly chat!) over the phone Monday to Friday, 11am – 4pm on 01206 573948.

Read our review of Pieces Of String