Nottingham Playhouse – until Saturday 7th October 2023
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
Written by Tom Wright in beautiful poetic prose, this play The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man at Nottingham Playhouse, movingly portrays the fascinating life of Joseph Merrick played sensitively by Zak Ford-Williams, who became known in history as the Elephant Man. His life began in the East Midlands, in Leicester where his parents, played by Daneka Etchells and Tim Prichett, wanted him to fit in and survive the tough challenges of working in a cigar factory. However, due to his deteriorating condition, he is unable to maintain himself and his descent into living as a sideshow “monster” begins after his mother dies leaving him to fend for himself. He eventually goes to industrial London where he ends up in hospital.
Director Stephen Bailey in this production, shows how the harsh industrial environment reflects the harsh treatment meted out to anybody who does not fit in and play their part. The inhumanity of the doctors in the ‘safe’ environment of the hospital is shown when Merrick is examined as if he is just a specimen for scientific enquiry, with no understanding on their part that he is a real person, called Joseph not John, with feelings. The chances for humour here relieve the tension with a nice relationship built between Merrick and his nurse, played by Nadia Nadarajah, who finds out that he understands everything she has been saying. BSL is here shown to be a powerful and expressive language through Nadarajah’s skilful acting throughout in her various roles. There’s more irony later as well as pointing out the danger of making assumptions about people, when Merrick is introduced to another patient, Miss Fordham, played beautifully by Annabelle Davis as one of her several roles. Zak Ford Williams in the title role as Merrick, uses his body well to illustrate the pain and inner turmoil of the character, allowing us to “Imagine” his feelings as a man. At the end of the play Merrick is given agency as he is the one who screams out to the audience “You are all monsters!” forcing us to acknowledge the uncomfortable realities of the society we live in.
The Set and Costume Designer Simon Kenny chose well, with large oppressive boxes illustrating the confinement of the character and heavy iron girders showing the danger in the big city. The decision not to use prosthetics was a clever one as our focus is always on Merrick the man while Tom Wright’s script reveals to us the physical aspects of the “Elephant Man’s” condition. The cast is composed of all disabled, Deaf and /or neurodivergent actors with over 50% of the creative and supportive team also being Deaf, disabled and /or neurodivergent which strengthens the powerful message of this play about inclusivity and acceptance. This is a searingly moving play, brilliantly acted with real feeling and integrity.