The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical
The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical is about as perfect as a production can be! From the pens of Jayan and Sarah Nandogoapn, with Oscar-winning sound designer Wayne Pashley, Olivier award-winning West End director Guy Masterson, and Melbourne based award-winning film director Chris Mitchell, The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical follows the story of Joseph Merrick, better known as the Elephant Man.
A social outcast, Joseph endured circus ‘freak shows’ and the loathing of the public for years until a young doctor offered him asylum at the London Hospital in 1879.
In a journey of self-realisation, the Elephant Man transforms from timid side show freak to a must be seen for high society and unlikely hero when forced to face his greatest fears to rescue his true love.
Don’t expect an exact depiction though, this production takes the elements of the Elephant Man story and gives it a Broadway love-story feel. In fact, the script treats the disfigurations of the Elephant Man lightly without trivialising them. There are even elements of the Beauty and the Beast story without the Disney sugary coating.
“The Marvellous Elephant Man is an utterly-original and completely inaccurate musical tragicomedy about Joseph Merrick, the so-called ‘Elephant Man’,” Co-Director Chris Mitchell says of the show. “The Marvellous Elephant Man is a heartwarming-yet-heartbreaking tragicomedy musical about a man with a face not even a mother could love.”
The cast is a dream - Ben Clark (Opera Australia) is a masterclass in acting as Merrick, Annelise Hope is endearing as Nurse Hope, and Kanen Breen (Opera Australia) is deliciously evil as a twisted Dr Fredrick Treves (and numerous other roles).
Add to this dynamic trio an ensemble of six who play multiple roles, slipping in and out of an astonishing number of costumes with ease, each a talented performer in their own right and a tight band with excellent balance and you have the perfect cast.
So much is commendable in this production. The Spiegeltent is a perfect setting for a musical set in the nineteenth century London. The red and warm timber tones of the tent conjuring up the tavern feel of the period and the costumes are spot on.
There are highlights aplenty in this production - my favourites are ‘Italy’, ‘The Ugly Can be Beautiful’, ‘Mumuschka’ and the jail scene. However, the real highlight is the way the performers interact to produce a cohesive moral tale with a happy ending.
The Marvellous Elephant Man: The Musical is a must see and the jewel of the Fringe. Book your tickets now!
Barry Hill OAM
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