Joseph (John) Merrick lived in the second half of the 19th Century with a terrible bone disease which resulted in hideous physical deformities. Early in life he was exhibited in freak shows as “The Elephant Man” due to the huge bags of gray, wrinkled flesh that clung to his face and frame, especially a trunk-like protuberance that grew from his upper lip. Following surgery to remove that, he was used in a demonstration for the London Pathological Society by the prominent physician, Dr Frederick Treves, and through their relationship developed a level of civility in society that no one could have predicted. Bernard Pomerance used this curious story to fashion his 1979 play, which was a great critical and commercial success and led to David Lynch’s fine movie version in 1980.
This Strawberry Theatre Workshop production reminds us how powerful the medium of live performance is for telling this most human, most intimate of stories. While the film showed us the physical reality of Merrick’s condition, the stage requires us to create those deformities in our own mind. It is much more vivid. We can only see the inner being, only see the real person who stands before us, while our minds create the outer body, the superficial. This play is all about showing us the interior lives of these characters, and those bodily forms, the beauties and imperfections, are what we are asked to see through. Given proper performance, it is a most rewarding experience.
This production is moving and beautiful, successful on every level. Julie Beckman directs the play with splendid pace and dramatic emphasis, and the cast is absolutely stunning, top-rank Seattle actors doing work that you know is meaningful to them on a personal level. MJ Sieber manages that most difficult task as Merrick, to move us beyond sympathy to genuine empathy. He certainly lets us know the body this man inhabits, but he even more powerfully lets us feel the man who inhabits the body. The personal development over Merrick’s extraordinary life and experience, and the achievement of his full dignity and humanity, was powerful and authentic. David Pichette was spot-on as Dr Treves, a man of such control and accomplishment that revealing his own inner deformities, his own imperfections, was touching and shocking. As the noted actress, Mrs. Kendal, Alexandra Tavares was brilliant. Her characterization was so deep and so complete, her balance of style and substance so impeccable, her decency as beautiful as her physical appearance. Everyone else in the cast added just the right balance of variety and distinction to create an entire world for the play.
The scenic design of platforms and curtains by Greg Carter, evocatively lighted by Reed Nakayama, was just right to create a fluid and intimate setting. More than taking place inside a place, however, this play takes place inside people. This production and this fine cast certainly make that happen. “The Elephant Man” is about the beauty of a whole human being, and what it takes for a human being to be made whole. It’s beautiful theater.
PICTURED ABOVE: MJ Sieber
PHOTO BY: Erik Stuhaug
