A PERFORMER who made a standout professional debut at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre has been nominated for a prestigious national theatre award alongside two other Essex actors.
James Spence has been shortlisted for Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards 2026 for his role in Thespians, which was staged at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester before touring.
The nomination puts the Colchester production alongside some of the biggest names and venues in British theatre, with this year’s wider shortlist featuring stars including Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Fletcher, Robert Aramayo and Ralph Fiennes.
Spence is one of six performers competing for Best Performer in a Musical.
Other nominees include Brentwood-born Jess Folley for Burlesque at London’s Savoy Theatre.
Essex is also represented in the creative categories by writer Ava Pickett, who was born in Colchester.
She has been nominated for Best Creative West End Debut for writing 1536, which was staged at the Ambassadors Theatre in London.
The Stage Debut Awards, held in association with Netflix, celebrate performers and creatives making standout professional and West End debuts across UK theatre.
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Now in their ninth year, the awards recognise emerging talent in areas including performance, writing, directing, design and composition.
Other major nominees this year include Gleeson for his West End debut in The Weir, Sink and Jupe for Romeo and Juliet, and Fiennes for his directorial debut with As You Like It.
Winners are due to be announced at a ceremony at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London on Sunday, September 27.
The Best West End Debut Performer is the only category decided by a public vote, with voting set to close on Sunday, September 13.
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