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Elephant Man, The

John Merrick is a man living with horrifying, rare skin and bone diseases. Seen as a freak by society, his life changes when young physician Frederick Treves agrees to care for him. Merrick quickly becomes a favorite of the English aristocracy - an acceptance that comes with a heavy price.

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Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 19th Century
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Mild Adult Themes

  • Performance Group:
  • Large Stage, Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Shoestring Budget, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, College Theatre / Student

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 1979 Tony Award for Best Play
    Winner! 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play
    Nominee! 2015 4 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play
    Nominee! 2015 Drama League Award for Best Revival of a Play
    Nominee! 2015 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival of a Play
The Elephant Man is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man, victim of rare skin and bone diseases, he is admitted to London's prestigious Whitechapel hospital. Under the care of celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favourite of the aristocracy and literati only to be denied his ultimate dream, to become a man like any other.

PLEASE NOTE: This show has a mandatory music fee of A$20.00 per performance.
REVIEWS:

"Ravishing theatre... Utterly fascinating... A distinguished piece of work."

New York Daily News

"An enthralling and luminous play. Haunting, splendid."

The New York Times

"Wonderful, moving and purely theatrical. A giant of a play!"

New York Post

"A moving drama, lofted on poetic wings, it nests in the human heart."

Time

"Pomerance's tale showcases the triumph of a very human spirit, personified by the sensitive, almost saintly Merrick."

Associated Press

"It is nevertheless a spectacular delivery system for bravura performances."

 Vulture

Premiere Production: The Elephant Man was produced on Broadway at The Booth Theatre, on April 22, 1979.

Characters

  • Casting: 6M, 2F
  • Casting Attributes: Reduced casting (Doubling Possible), Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)
  • Chorus Size: No one with any history of back trouble should attempt the part of Merrick as contorted. Anyone playing the part of Merrick should be advised to consult a physician about the problems of sustaining any unnatural or twisted position.

  • FREDERICK TREVES - a surgeon and teacher
    CARR GOMM - administrator of the London Hospital
    ROSS - Manager of the Elephant Man
    JOHN MERRICK - the Elephant Man
    THREE PINHEADS - three women freaks whose heads are pointed
    BELGIAN POLICEMEN
    LONDON POLICEMAN
    MAN - at a fairground in Brussels
    CONDUCTOR - of Ostend-London boat train
    BISHOP WALSHAM HOW
    PORTER - at the London Hospital
    SNORK - also a porter
    MRS. KENDAL - an actress
    DUCHESS
    COUNTESS
    PRINCESS ALEXANDRA
    LORD JOHN
    NURSE, MISS SANDWICH

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Elephant Man, The Script Order Now

    The Elephant Man is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century, A horribly deformed young man, victim of rare skin and bone diseases, he is admitted to London's prestigious Whitechapel hospital. Under the care of celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favourite of the aristocracy and lierati only yo be denied his ultimate dream, to become a man like any other.

    		$24.95

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