The Elephant Man (play)

*The Elephant Man* is a play by Bernard Pomerance based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a man in 19th-century England with severe deformities. The play explores themes of human dignity, compassion, and the struggle to see beyond physical appearance. Merrick is exhibited as a spectacle but yearns for normalcy and respect. Through his interactions with doctors, performers, and a compassionate surgeon, the play examines societal perceptions of beauty and ugliness, emphasizing that true worth resides in inner humanity. It challenges audiences to confront their own judgments and empathy toward those who are different.