Glenbrook Players Stage The Elephant Man

Glenbrook Players (Blue Mountains, NSW) will present the stage adaptation of The Elephant Man from May 4, 2012 at the Glenbrook Community Theatre.

Written by Bernard Pomerance, The Elephant Man re-counts the true story of John Merrick (Brad Teodoruk), a man born with diagnosis-defying deformities during the latter part of the 19^th century. John is forced to spend his childhood in a work-house before joining a freak-show circuit. Although he dreams of escaping the torment of the freak-show and leading a ‘normal’ life,  John resigns himself to life as ‘The Elephant Man’. Fate intervenes when young surgeon Frederick Treves (Costa Karagounis) rescues him, and admits him to a London hospital for observation. Here John fast becomes the urbane and witty favourite of high society, a far stretch from his former life. But has John been put on show again, this time for a different audience. 

Director Iain Fraser says of The Elephant Man, “My fascination with this play began when I was fifteen, when I watched The Elephant Man by film maker David Lynch on video. It moved me tremendously. I was disturbed that one section of society could be so unsympathetic and unforgiving towards the deformed John Merrick, yet warmed at how one man made it his business to provide a better life for John Merrick.

“This is my first foray at directing a play, and my job has been made considerably easier by a truly passionate, talented and dedicated cast. From those actors with major roles to the minor players, every cast member has breathed life into their characters from the first rehearsal. I need to make a special mention of the two main players - Brad (Merrick) and Costa (Treves) who brought this unusual relationship into existence on the stage. The chemistry between Merrick and Mrs Kendal (Lauren Grimson) was there before we even started rehearsing, as the two actors are actually engaged in real life.

“The Elephant Man is not a happy play, but despite the heavy subject matter, the cast and crew have made the experience most enjoyable.”

The Elephant Man

Glenbrook Community Theatre: Friday, May 4 – 8pm, Saturday, May 5 – 2pm & 8pm, Friday, May 11 – 8pm, Saturday, May 12 – 2pm & 8pm

Rated M - contains partial nudity and adult themes.

Bookings: (02) 4739 1110 / www.glenbrookplayers.com.au