Review: The Elephant Man at the Theatre Royal Haymarket starring Bradley Cooper

The Elephant Man 

Theatre Royal Haymarket 

Reviewed on Monday 1st June 2015

★★★★

Fresh from its Broadway run, Scott Ellis’ production of The Elephant Man has transferred to the West End with Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper reprising his portrayal of deformed character John Merrick.

CONFIRMED: The Elephant Man starring Bradley Cooper transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in May

As previously reported by West End Frame, it has been confirmed that Scott Ellis’ production of The Elephant Man will transfer to London with the US cast starring Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola. The production will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited season between 19th May and 8th August 2015.

Bradley Cooper (John Merrick) & Alessandro Nivola (Frederick Treves) / Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Alongside Cooper as John Merrick, the cast includes: Patricia Clarkson as Mrs. Kendal, Alessandro Nivola as Dr. Frederick Treves, Anthony Heald as Ross / Bishop How, Scott Lowell as Snork / Pinhead Manager / Lord John, Kathryn Meisle as Miss Sandwich / Princess and Henry Stram as Carr Gomm / Conductor. The cast also includes Chris Bannow, Peter Bradbury, Lucas Calhoun, Eric Clem, Amanda Lea Mason, Marguerite Stimpson and Emma Thorne.

The Elephant Man completes its New York run on 21st February at the Booth Theatre. This production was first produced in July 2012 in Williamstown, Massachusetts by the Williamstown Theatre Festival under Jenny Gersten’s season.

GOSSIP: The Elephant Man starring Bradley Cooper to open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in May?

Bradley Cooper has revealed that he will reprise his performance in The Elephant Man when the show transfers to the West End later this year. 

During an interview, the Oscar nominee told Howard Stern that the play will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket between 18th May and 9th August 2015. The Elephant Man runs on Broadway at the Booth Theatre until 22nd February. 

Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man revolves around the real-life Joseph Merrick, a severely disfigured 19th-century Englishman who struggles to live with dignity. Scott Ellis directs.

GOSSIP: Bradley Cooper wants to bring The Elephant Man to the West End

Bradley Cooper has revealed that he wants to bring The Elephant Man to the West End. 

Cooper is currently starring in the play on Broadway. Scott Ellis' production officially opened last night (7th December) at the Booth Theatre.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Cooper said: "The West End is amazing and incredible. It would be an honour and exciting to do The Elephant Man in the West End. Let’s get through this run first. We’ve got 85 more shows to do!"

The Elephant Man runs on Broadway until 15th February 2015. Based on the real life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man tells the story of a 19th-century British man (Cooper) whose severe disfigurement made him a star of the traveling freak show circuit.