Vitorino, wearing only undershorts, contorts his body to correspond to Treves’ graphic description of his various malformations (a posture he maintains throughout). Frederick Treves (John Ralston Craig) is giving a lecture to students with the aid of large photographs of the real Joseph Merrick. Merrick himself (Tom Vitorino) is first seen when Dr. We first see the carny barker Ross (Jon Sperry), who acquired him from a workhouse his mother had placed him in, vociferously pitching his “despised creature” to a crowd of eager spectators. Merrick’s nightmarish earlier life is chronicled through brief scenes early on. It tells the story of a horribly deformed man, Merrick, who went from being an outcast and freak-show oddity to a celebrity and English gentleman during the Victorian Era.
Bernard Pomerance’s drama is not without its flaws (it’s a structurally “lazy” play), but director Robyn Cohen has nevertheless done an imaginative job in staging it. It’s a sobering reminder for those who might take their health for granted, and for what follows onstage. The night this reviewer attended, there was a small crowd gathered around it, staring in wonder and disbelief, and many expressions of sympathy arose about the hideous deformities this human being was forced to live with during his brief life. Producer is Tom Mullens (Poldark).In the lobby of the theater in a plastic case, there is a life-size reproduction of the skeleton of Joseph Merrick, or “John” as he is referenced in the script for The Elephant Man. Executive producers are Elaine Pyke and Charlie Pattinson for New Pictures with Paul Unwin and Tommy Bulfin for BBC.
The elephant man script play series#
The series is directed by Richard Laxton (Mum). The Elephant Man (2x90’) is produced by New Pictures (The Missing, Requiem, Indian Summers, The Innocents) for BBC One in association with all3media International. In 1980, David Lynch directed John Hurt in the lead role in a motion picture picture based on Merrick’s life for which it won BAFTAs for Best Film and Best Actor.
It was a definitive performance with many well-known actors taking on the iconic role since, including David Bowie, Mark Hamill, and most recently Bradley Cooper for his West End theatre debut. There have been numerous depictions of Merrick on stage and screen, with the first coming from David Schofield in a 1979 play written by Bernard Pomerance. Neil McKay’s beautiful script captures this extraordinary story and we are thrilled that Charlie Heaton is going to play Joseph." Joseph’s determination to be his own man, to earn a living, to find a sense of freedom and to express himself is inspiring to all. Treves brought Merrick to the London Hospital where he lived until his death in 1890, aged 27.Įlaine Pyke, Executive Producer for New Pictures, said “It wasn’t until we started the research that we realised there was such a rich story to tell about this wonderful man. He met Dr Frederick Treves in 1884, after he had witnessed Merrick being exhibited in a shop across the road from the London Hospital. Seeking to escape the workhouse several years later, Merrick found his way into a human oddities show in London where he was exhibited as 'The Elephant Man’. When he was 11 years old, his mother died from bronchopneumonia, his father soon remarried and by 17 he was a resident of the workhouse after his relationship with his father deteriorated. Born in Leicester in 1862, at the age of five years old he began to develop physical deformities to his skin, face, arms and feet. Joseph Merrick has been the subject of many medical studies, documentaries and works of fiction. Joseph has such an incredible story and I can’t wait to go on this journey and bring him to life.” This is such a special role and a challenge for any actor. It explores the mysteries that surround Merrick and the man behind the myth.Ĭharlie Heaton said, “I’m extremely excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to take on the portrayal of Joseph Merrick in the BBC’s adaption of The Elephant Man.
Starting with his birth and ending with his death, McKay’s adaptation covers the true events of Merrick’s personal odyssey, his extreme courage, determination and human dignity despite challenges arising from his disability.
The Elephant Man follows the compelling and extraordinary life of Joseph Merrick from his working-class beginnings in Leicestershire, through the work-houses, music halls and freak shows that punctuated 19th Century culture and society to his time at the London Hospital and his vital friendship with Dr Frederick Treves. BBC One announces The Elephant Man, a two-part drama starring Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) as Joseph Merrick.