The Elephant Man

The first production in Cromer and Sheringham’s Centenary Year, and what a beginning to a special year of celebration.

This was very powerful theatre and demonstrated the strength and breadth of talent within the society, certainly Martin Rodwell should be congratulated for assembling such a cast and for working with them to create such excellent character studies.

How sensible to leave the story to tell itself by setting a few pieces of good furniture and props with lighting rather than complicating with many scene changes and disrupting the flow. And I must congratulate the Wardrobe Supervisor Nona Gray for the immaculate attention to details.

In the title role, Matt Scantlebury was outstanding, to keep up that stance and speech impediment throughout must have been exhausting, his portrayal and development of the character engendered the pity of all and yet the strength of John Merrick, as he took his chances and opportunities opened must be admired.   The exchange of relationships and feelings were so well registered, a tour de force from him.  Opposite him, in an immaculate portrayal of Frederick Eves, Peter Howell showed again what a superb character actor he is. The amazing amount of dialogue, the humanity and empathy and feeling for his fellow man, the despair on occasions, the underlying research into the problems using the medical skills, the increasing achievements and recognition of the work, the relationships not only towards Merrick but with his colleagues and friends; this was a performance to relish and these two men were perfect casting and the lynchpin of this production.

 As Carr Gomm, Graham Blyth showed his authority as the senior man in the medical relationship.  His humanity and interest in the situation of Treves and Merrick and his use of the situation to gain funding for his own interests, weas a strong portrayal. The Bishop, Grahame Woodrow, was extremely credible with his strong faith and sympathy, and of good stature both physically and in character. Merrick’s manager Ross, Carl Denis, showed the lower classes in exploitation and yet some caring, and the return when impoverished was quite moving when refused help.

Ruth Elliott as the Nurse Sandwich gave a good portrayal of supposed efficiency into amazed horror on sight of her patient, well realised. And the warmth of spirit and friendly interest and affection which kindled the feelings in Merrick, Anne Culley gave a superb performance as the lovely actress Mrs Kendall, and we felt sympathy for her relationships with both Merrick and Treves.

We should not lose sight of the many smaller character roles, well realised, and which created the feel of the period and life in Victorian London.   We were gripped and enthralled by this play, the silence for long moments at the end before the applause said it all.  

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