Events Archive > Mercury Reads: The Blacklist

Mercury Reads: The Blacklist

Show Information

Showing on:

Wed 29 October 2025

Price:

Venue:

Café Bar

Age Guidance:

18+

Show Bio
Cast & Crew

Join us for Mercury Reads a series of lively rehearsed readings celebrating local voices and fresh new writing. Each event spotlights an exciting playwright from our region, giving audiences the chance to see new stories take shape for the very first time.

In this session, join us in the Café Bar on Wed 29 Oct at 4pm as we look at The Blacklist by Chileya Mwampulo. In the midst of civil unrest, four black teenagers are thrust into chaos and violence. Facing bloody consequences, they grapple with intense discussions about race, justice, and their place in a divided society. This gripping tale explores their resilience and the harsh realities of systemic racism.

Chileya Mwampulo

Writer

Chileya is a Zambian born actor, playwright and director. She is an associate artist at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, where she recently completed their playwriting program and has previously completed their Mercury Creatives program. She is an NYT member and a Fourth Monkey alumni.

She recently won an award for Culture and Diversity at the New Renaissance Film Festival for her debut short film A Love Letter To You.

This Christmas she can be seen as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island (Eastern Angles).

Writing Credits: The Blind Truth (Lyric Hammersmith); Boundless (Mercury Theatre).

Theatre Credits: Gail in TEECHERS (New Wosley and Eastern Angles); Luna in The Chronicles of Atom & Luna (Funnelwich and Limb Tour); Jaxon in Hear Me Now (Tamasha Theatre Company); Marion in Rice & Peas (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch); Student in Coconut Diaries (Southwark Playhouse); Theatre in Education Mum in It’s About Your Son (Littletwo Theatre Company); Berry in No More Numbers (Mercury Theatre).

Film Credits: Lorraine in Tidings of Joy (Frenchie Flicks).

Other credits: Presenter/Boudica/Regina in Roman Britain Colchester Castle (Mercury Theatre, Interactive Video); Presenter in Pandemic Preparedness Summit

Instagram: @Chileyamoo
Website: Chileya Mwampulo

Marc Pouani

Director

Marc is a Director and Movement Director, and the creator of Move With Me – an initiative that exists to empower individuals and foster curiosity and self-discovery through purposeful physical exploration.

A Frantic Assembly practitioner and Associate Artist at the National Youth Theatre, Marc is a committed creative driven to champion stories from marginalised communities. He has devised, directed, and facilitated work with leading institutions, including the National Theatre (GB), Barbican Centre, Donmar Warehouse, and universities worldwide.

Keenan Munn-Francis

Actor - Raheem

Stage Credits: Choir (Chichester Festival Theatre); Passing Strange (Young Vic); Our Lady of Kibeho (Royal and Derngate); Five Guys Named Mo (Underbelly Productions); Filthy Business (Hampstead Theatre); Lord of the Flies (Regents Open Air Theatre); The Lion King (West End).

Television Credits: Mr Loverman; Call the Midwife; Doctors; Casualty; Oliver Twist (BBC); Penny on Mars (Disney); Burn Up (Kudos)

Film Credits: Black Dog

Rianna Kellman

Actor -Jasmin

Stage Credits: The Lion Inside (International Tour for Nicolle Entertainment); Shut Up, I’m Dreaming (National Theatre)

TV Credits: Malice (Amazon Prime)

Déja J. Bowens

Actor - Chisomo

Stage Credits: Mary Seacole (Donmar Warehouse); Beneatha’s place; Hamlet (Mountview)

Television Credits: Champion (BBC/Netflix)

Lewis Griffin

Actor - Temi

Lewis Griffin trained with the National Youth Theatre’s Rep company the year it launched back in 2012.

Stage Credits: Animal Farm (Octagon Theatre); Cinderella (StoryHouse); Shut Up I’m Dreaming (National Theatre); Manor (National Theatre); All Of Us (National Theatre)

TV Credits – Silent Witness (BBC)