That one line of dialogue speaks a thousand words. Not only now, in the age of modern beauty standards, but much MUCH deeper.
It felt an honour to witness the six talented young actors on stage at the Nottingham Playhouse to not just tell a story, but to peel back the layers of human preconceptions.
If you’ve not seen the classic film, it’s unlikely if you haven’t in some way heard of the story of The Elephant Man. Whilst following the known facts, this production explores his life from a new fascinating perspective, in what can only be described as another triumph for The Playhouse and production team.
As the cast take their final bows, the audience turn to each other in amazement at the achievement which has just unfolded before them. Why? Read on.
Leicester born, Joseph Merrick, began to develop abnormally before the age of five. The exact cause of Merrick’s deformities is unclear. Tragically, rejected by his Father and Step Mother he leaves home. As his condition worsens, an encounter with a showman leads him to sadly become exhibited at a freak show (rumour has it he even came to the Malt Cross in Nottingham) under the stage name “the Elephant Man”, not only due to the lumpy thickening of his skin, but the Merrick family explained his symptoms as the result of his mother being knocked over by a fairground elephant while she was pregnant with Joseph.
The belief that the emotional experiences of pregnant women could have lasting physical effects on their unborn children, common in the 19th-century. Joseph Merrick also held this belief about the cause of his disability throughout his life.
In some way no doubt we all hold beliefs about ourselves, limiting ones too, however what makes this production different is that the performers all have some disability, being deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent. Over 50% of the creative and support team are also deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent. If anybody really understands the challenges faced, it is the up-coming company behind this production.
They add a whole other dimension to the story, proving that disability is not something to hold you back. Nor is it something of which to be ashamed. Merrick was a survivor, they are survivors, with stronger will power than most, to show battles and challenges endured, and put an end to ableism.
Tom Wright’s script masterfully captures the essence of Joseph’s humble beginnings in the squalid slums of Leicester amidst the backdrop of the industrial revolution. The era of progress and innovation comes at a grave cost, with countless reduced to endless hours toiling away in mills, mines and factories, only to still spend their days penniless.
The play’s second act takes us to London, continuing to explore the impact of industrialisation on society. The play centres around sheer Joseph’s existence, chronicling his misfortunes throughout his life. The constant unrelenting combination of attraction and repulsion at ‘The monster’
Joseph endures mistreatment by the circus showmen before being rescued and ushered into a new life as a medical curiosity. He is housed in the London Hospital and presented to doctors as a living specimen. Whilst he finally appears to be cared for and free, there underlies a darkness. Is he really free? Or will he forever be an object to be observed, and it seems, ultimately ridiculed.
The entire cast deliver exceptional performances, all (with the exception of Ford-Williams as Merrick) playing several roles. It must be exhausting, yet they captivate the audience with ease.
Zak Ford-Williams then is a name to remember. On stage continually throughout, his portrayal of Joseph Merrick is simply outstanding. It is with no doubt when I say that a fantastic career must surely await the young actor, who through his amazing talent, captures perfectly the progression of Merricks disability as he ages without the use of any prosthetic or make up. Even more poignant when a wheel chair is brought to him at the end of the show.
Joseph Merrick’s journey culminates in a powerful scene on the snowy streets of London, we know how it’s going to end, and yet the script has done something other versions haven’t. It’s made us think. Question ourselves, our beliefs and prejudices, and look not only at this stellar cast in a whole new light than we did when we entered the theatre only a couple of hours before, but Joseph Merrick himself.
The production achieves everything it set out to do and more, as we the audience physically turn to each other speechless, and honestly simply utter ‘Wow’, safe in the knowledge we have just witnessed an extraordinary piece of theatre like no other.
Absolutely brilliant!
The Real & Imagined History of the Elephant Man runs at Nottingham Playhouse until 7th October. Tickets available here : https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
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