WEST End stages. The big screen. And now Colchester.

Poirot star David Suchet is no stranger to the stage, but the acclaimed actor is now preparing to tread the boards at the Mercury Theatre.

Audiences will get a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world’s most celebrated and fascinating actors of our time at an unmistakably unique event at the theatre in Balkerne Gate.

Poirot and More: A Retrospective will take place on February 13 and will provide a look at David’s career allowing the audience to witness some of his most beloved performances in a new and intimate light.

Gazette: Actpr - David Suchet is coming to ColchesterActpr - David Suchet is coming to Colchester (Image: Mercury Theatre)

He is not the only star set to tread the boards at the city centre theatre, with Mercury bosses announcing an array of performances for 2024, including a suite of comedians.

The stand-up Seann Walsh will bring his new show Back from the Bed to the theatre on April 3.

Gazette: Comedian - Seann WalshComedian - Seann Walsh (Image: Mercury Theatre)

The show will feature beloved segments from his acclaimed Same Again tour alongside new material based on the last few years of human life.

Another favourite comedian, Joe Pasquale, who has been showing off on stage for more than 40 years, will perform at the theatre on April 27.

Fellow comedians Hugh Dennis, known for his role in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered, and Steve Punt are back on tour for the first time in ten years and will perform at the Mercury on June 8.

Gazette: Stage star - Joe PasqualeStage star - Joe Pasquale (Image: Mercury Theatre)

Gazette: Comedy duo - Steve Punt and Hugh DennisComedy duo - Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis (Image: Mercury Theatre)

What else is on at the Mercury Theatre in 2024?

Midsummer, a rose-tinted musical rom-com penned by the award-winning playwright David Grieg and composed by the songwriter Gordon McIntyre, provides a fast-paced, funny look at love, life, and the ache of aging. It will run between May 3 and 18.

The theatre will also play home to Martha Loader’s award-winning play Bindweed in association with the Royal Exchange Theatre between June 13 and 22 before it moves on to the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.

It is a shattering and darkly funny new play about responsibility and rehabilitation, which looks at what can be done to tackle abuse at its root.

Entertainers, the team behind The Magic of Motown, Lost in Music, and Fastlove, will bring its tributes to Marvin Gaye and Nat Augustin on April 16 and May 22 respectively.

The West End favourite, The Magic of the BeeGees, will also be coming to Colchester on May 24, featuring beloved songs including Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, More Than a Woman, and many more.

Calling Planet Earth will bring the music of the 80s to the Mercury Theatre on June 7.

The tribute show will feature the greatest hits of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, ABC, Depeche Mode, OMD, The Human League, Tears for Fears, The Police, Soft Cell, Japan, and many more.

Tickets for all of these productions, and more recently announced billings, will go on general sale on Friday at 10am.