Summary
"The Elephant Man" is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man, who has been a freak attraction in traveling side shows, is found abandoned and helpless and is admitted for observation to Whitechapel, a prestigious London hospital. Under the care of a famous young doctor, who educates him and introduces him to London society, Merrick changes from a sensational object of pity to the urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati. But his belief that he can become a man like any other is a dream never to be realized.
Bernard Pomerance was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 23, 1940. He studied at the University of Chicago before moving to London in 1968. He was a playwright. His plays included High in Vietnam, Hot Damn; The Elephant Man; and Melons. The Elephant Man received the Tony Award for best play in 1979. He died from cancer on August 26, 2017 at the age of 76.
(Bowker Author Biography)