What’s it all about?
The legendary story of John Merrick, the so-called ‘Elephant Man’ whose deformities were exploited by the Victorian ‘freak show’ circuit before he was discovered by a London doctor whose care and fascination with his tragic health problems led to Merrick being unexpectedly embraced by the great and the good of London society.
Let’s be honest, the answer to this question could equally be ‘Bradley Cooper’s West End debut’. In this intriguing real-life story the Oscar nominated toast of Hollywood is transformed into the titular character in a truly outstanding performance.
Who’s in it?
The aforementioned Cooper leads in the role that, following David Lynch’s film adaptation of the story, he credits as being the reason he wanted to act in the first place. Having already proved himself a versatile film actor, this part secures him credit as an unquestionably fine stage performer.
In an unusual staging decision, Cooper enters the stage seemingly as himself before physically and brutally contorting into Merrick. As Alessandro Nivola’s Frederick Treves lists his conditions one by one, Cooper subtly shifts before your eyes; hand rearranged, back slumped, head pushed forward, face twisted. For the next two hours he embodies this new physicality, spluttering, gulping and gasping as he speaks, never moving with anything other than excruciatingly laboured energy.
It is Merrick’s nature, however, that proves the most exceptional thing about him and Cooper is utterly believable as this naive, emotionally wounded and touchingly gentle man.
What should I look out for?
Patricia Clarkson and Nivola’s moving performances as the pair who are captivated by this gentle soul and attempt to give him the home he never had. Clarkson is exuberant and free spirited, while Nivola gives an accomplished turn as the kindly doctor.
In a nutshell?
Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper’s physically transformative performance is staggering, proving the versatile actor is just as fine an actor on stage as he is on screen.
What’s being said on Twitter?
Bradley Cooper as #TheElephantMan was just unbelievable ???? @ Royal Haymarket Theatre https://t.co/YbtwqvzWlI
— Elsa Banks (@elsabnks) May 31, 2015
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Will I like it?
I think it’s fair to say that, for many, Bernard Pomerance’s play is far from perfect; painting the true story, as it does, with broad brush strokes and concentrating more on Merrick’s romantic imagination than the complexities of his tragic life. This makes for an unexpectedly light evening, but one not without real moments of poignancy. Whether the play is to your taste or not, however, Cooper’s performance is undeniably a triumph. Get your Best Actor award bets in now…
The Elephant Man is playing until 8 August. You can book tickets through the Theatre Royal Haymarket’s website.