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The Elephant Man with Bradley Cooper transfers to the W/E

Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle

FOLLOWING a highly-acclaimed, record-breaking run on Broadway, The Elephant Man, starring Bradley Cooper as John Merrick, is transferring to the West End – to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, where it runs for a strictly limited 12 week season from May 19 to August 8, 2015.

Written by Bernard Pomerance and based on the real life of Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man tells the story of 19th-century London man Merrick, who became a star of the traveling freak show circuit.

When the renowned Dr. Treves takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by the man’s brilliant intelligence, unshakable faith and, most of all, his resounding desire for love and understanding. He introduces Merrick to the beautiful actress Mrs. Kendal, who is deeply touched by this pure and genuine soul.

As a complex friendship blossoms among the three, Treves and Kendal struggle to protect Merrick from a world of questionable intentions… and so begins a story of love as unique as “The Elephant Man” himself.

As well as Bradley Cooper, the cast includes Patricia Clarkson (as Mrs. Kendal), Alessandro Nivola (Dr. Frederick Treves), Anthony Heald (Ross/Bishop Walsham How), Scott Lowell (Snork/Pinhead Manager/Lord John), Kathryn Meisle (Miss Sandwich/Princess) and Henry Stram (Carr Gomm/Conductor).

They are joined by Chris Bannow, Peter Bradbury, Lucas Calhoun, Eric Clem, Amanda Lea Mason, Marguerite Stimpson and Emma Thorne.

Four time Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper has also appeared on the American stage in Three Days of Rain and The Understudy. His numerous film credits include American Sniper, which he also produced and for which he has been Oscar nominated, Serena, Guardians of the Galaxy, American Hustle (also Executive Producer), Silver Linings Playbook (also Executive Producer) and The A Team.

Presented by James L. Nederlander in association with Michael Codron, The Elephant Man is directed by Scott Ellis.

Jonathan Church’s world premiere production of Mark Hayhurst’s new play Taken At Midnight, starring Penelope Wilton, continues at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until March 14, 2015. It will be followed – from March 17 to May 2 – by Lindsay Posner’s new production of Harvey, starring Maureen Lipman (as Veta) and James Dreyfus (Elwood P. Dowd).