Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper makes his London stage debut in the West End transfer of The Elephant Man at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The American actor, who recently starred in Bernard Pomerance’s drama on Broadway, plays Joseph Merrick, the man who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit during the 19th century.

Based on a true story, The Elephant Man follows the story of Merrick as he is taken under the care of Dr Treves, who is astonished by the man’s brilliant intelligence, unshakeable faith and resounding desire for love and understanding. When he introduces Merrick to actress Mrs Kendal, a complex friendship blossoms between the three of them, but Treves and Kendal struggle to protect Merrick from a world of questionable intentions.

Cooper has been Academy Award nominated in the Best Actor category three times during the course of his hugely successful film career. The star of recent blockbuster hit American Sniper, his extensive screen credits include Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, both of which saw the actor star opposite Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence, The Hangover trilogy, Limitless and Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Directed by Scott Ellis, the cast of the London production comprises all of Cooper’s Broadway co-stars including Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Clarkson (The Station Agent, The Green Mile and Pieces Of April) and Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle, Face/Off).

The Elephant Man is suitable for theatregoers aged 12 and older.