Click Here for The Elephant Man Cast Announcement

This award-winning drama by Bernard Pomerance chronicles the true story of the tragically difficult life of Joseph “John” Carey Merrick, who lived in London from 1862 to 1890 and was inflicted with a severe form of a rare hereditary disorder. Known only as “The Elephant Man” because of his hideously repulsive bodily and facial deformities, Merrick earns his living as a freak attraction in a traveling sideshow until he is rescued by physician Frederick Treves and given a home at the London Hospital in Whitechapel. Merrick soon develops a close friendship with an actress, Mrs. Kendall. The play depicts episodes from the last six years of Merrick’s life and illuminates his strength of spirit and the hypocrisy of Victorian society.

Author: Bernard Pomerance
Director: Robert J. Sorbera

Rehearsals: Starting Sept. 14 at 7pm
Performance Dates: Oct. 30 – Nov. 15 (Thu. – Sun.)

PRINCIPAL ROLES (stage age)

John Merrick (20-30)*
– The Elephant Man, heavily deformed and suffering from Proteus Syndrome; intelligent, funny, gentle, good-hearted, lonely, unhappy, suffering both emotionally and physically
*Anyone with back problems is discouraged from auditioning for this role.

Frederick Treves (30-40)
– a surgeon and teacher; sensitive, intelligent, thoughtful.

Mrs. Kendal (30-40)
– an actress who befriends Merrick; genuinely caring, warm-hearted, loyal, passionate

Carr Gomm (40-50)
– London Hospital administrator; decent, pragmatic, compassionate, though somewhat self-serving

Ross (40-50)
– manager of the Elephant Man; dishonest, insensitive

Nurse Sandwich (30-50)
– Merrick’s caretaker at the hospital; repulsed by his appearance

Bishop Walsham How (40-50)
– a religious leader who offers spiritual guidance to Merrick

Supporting Roles
– Lord John, Princess Alexandra, Conductor, Countess, Duchess, pinheads, policemen, hospital porters