THE ELEPHANT MAN. To 6 August.

London

THE ELEPHANT MAN
by Bernard Pomerance

Union Theatre To 6 August 2004 then touring Brazil
7.30pm
Runs 1hr No interval

TICKETS: 020 7261 9876
Review: Peter Kinsey 3 August

Young cast bring sensitive playing to story of John Merrick.John Merrick, the eponymous hero of this play, suffered from a rare genetic condition: both his bone structure and flesh were extremely deformed. In 1884, rising young surgeon Frederick Treves rescued him from a life of brutal exploitation in a fairground freak show, bringing him to live in the London Hospital in Whitechapel.

Bernard Pomerance shows how, in the safety and comfort of the Hospital, Merrick proves himself a remarkable person, with a bright searching intelligence. He becomes a society celebrity, at home to Royalty, and others, particularly actress Mrs Kendal. However, as his world opens up, his condition grows progressively worse and eventually kills him.

Sincera Productions offer a long overdue revival of a play with an eternal and universal theme: is our outward appearance and condition a true indication of our inward quality. This theme is shown to have many variations, depending on the person Merrick encounters. It is most fully shown in his relationship with Treves, who never truly communicates with Merrick as a human being, seeing him always as a patient. Antony Eden's is a naturalistic, well-rounded performance, portraying a repressed, morally hidebound rationalist, while avoiding the pitfalls of Victorian caricature.

In contrast, Nick Court produces a warm and insistently assertive portrayal, an irritant to the straight-jacketed Treves. No wonder he is naturally at ease with the trusting empathy of Mrs. Kendal, played by Sarah Jane Wolverson, who moves well from false charmer to genuinely charmed in her friendship with Merrick.

In fact, all the cast play strongly and simply, allowing the play's theme to speak directly to us.
I could do with a touch more gravitas in the eminent Victorians, like senior surgeon Carr Gomm or Bishop How. But this is offset by the patrician complacency of Alistair Gillyatt as Carr Gomm and the convincing religious fervour of John Lake as How. Philip Desmeules turns in a neat double of exploiting villains, while Vivienne Gibbs as misguided missionary Mrs Sandwich and Alice Ritchie as the maid Snork round out a committed cast.

Christina Stergios' set, a series of mobile screens bearing images of the real John Merrick,
provides both a powerful and informative backdrop to the action, supported by Nicki Browan's lighting and the musical direction of Mark Williams.

Frederick Treves: Antony Eden
Carr Gomm: Alistair Gillyatt
Ross: Philip Desmeules
John Merrick: Nick Court
Bishop How: John Lake
Mrs Sandwich: Vivienne Gibbs
Snork: Alice Ritchie
Mrs Kendal: Sarah Jane Wolverson

Director: Alex Blake
Designer: Christina Stergios
Lighting: Nicki Browan
Musical Director: Mark Williams

2004-08-05 00:18:05