The Elephant Man

"Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams."

Joseph Merrick is 'The Elephant Man'. The sordid spectacle of a travelling freak show, he moves from city to city, mercilessly put on display to the horrified delight of Victorian audiences. A London surgeon also takes a keen interest, but is soon faced with a moral dilemma – to help Merrick or to use him to advance his scientific career?

Inspired by the extraordinary life of a man with a physical disfigurement, Bernard Pomerance's multi-award-winning play explores changes in perception. Merrick's story was also recognised in David Lynch's film starring John Hurt.

Our ongoing partnership with Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is further developed into a three-way collaboration with our new Associate Company, Diverse City, which is committed to diversity and equality in the arts. Its Co-Artistic Director Jamie Beddard (Messiah) will star in this ambitious new production, directed by Lee Lyford (The Snow Queen).