Tale of elephant man on stage

The show is based around Victorian London when a hideously deformed man arrives at Liverpool Street station, penniless.

As crowds gather, the police are called and inside his coat they find a card, Dr Frederick Treves, The London Hospital.

The play, taking place at The Place Theatre in Bedford between January 18 and 22, explores what it was like to be Joseph (John) Merrick, known as the Elephant Man.

Exhibiting himself as a fairground freak in preference to the workhouse, Merrick, by the actions of Treves and the generosity of the readers of The Times, finds himself secure and well cared-for.

Treves discovers that Merrick is an intelligent and sensitive young man, with clear insights into Victorian society, whose abiding wish is ‘to be like others’.

This is a play that asks many questions about what it means to be a human being.

The show, which is being produced the Bedford Dramatic Club, contains partial nudity.

The Elephant Man has won awards including the New York Drama Critic’s Circle Award.

Tickets are £7.50 and concessions £6.50. Performances start at 7.30pm. Go to www.theplacebedford.org.uk