The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance (Grove Press 1979) (612.0). This is a play based upon the life of John Merrick, the original “Elephant Man” who was so named for a repulsive skin condition from which he suffered. Horribly deformed, Merrick lived in Victorian London, England and was exhibited at a young age in circus sideshows. The Elephant Man Quotes Showing 1-8 of 8 “He has seen enough of daily evil to be thankful for small goods that come his way.” ― Bernard Pomerance, The Elephant Man.
BLACK:
FADE IN:
ABSTRACT DREAM
ABSTRACT DREAM
CLOSE-UP of a gold framedminiatureportrait of JOHN MERRICK'S
MOTHER (tune or melody over her picture, heartbeat), which
DISSOLVES TO CLOSE-UP of real Mothersmiling A shadow comes
over her face. CLOSE-UP of elephant ears, trunks, faces
moving.
Dark, heavy feet stompingelephant trumpet, rearing up.
Powerful hit and the Mother falls. Darker. Trunkslides over
Mother's face and breasts and stomach, leaving a moist trail.
MOTHER’S POV of elephant's mouth, eyes, skin. Mother's face
twists and freezes in a blurred snap roll.
BLACK again. Knock, knock sound. Curtainopens to horrified
faces.
CUT TOBLACKAND SILENCE
CIRCUS:
FADE IN TO steamshooting out of a huge old half-rusted
calliope. The music is very loud and raucous. Moving up and
back we see the blackawningentrance to the freak tent,
where FREDERICK TREVES, ResidentSurgeon and Lecturer on
anatomy at the London Hospital, is standing with his back to
us observing the posters of the freaks.
Coming along a muddywalkway at the side of the tent is
Treves' wife, ANNE, and their two DAUGHTERS. The shrill over-
whelming musicseems to engulf her.
She looks discomfited, vulnerable, and protective of her
daughters. The girls, oblivious to any fear, are finishing
their chocolate sweets.
CLOSE-UP of Treveslooking at a poster.
He hears:
#1 DAUGHTER
Poppa!
Treves turns and looks down to a chocolate-covered face. He
smiles at the children and Anne.
Anne sees the dirtyfaces and beginscleaning one of them.
The otherdaughterlooks into the freak tent.
#2 DAUGHTER
Poppa.. may we go in there?
ANNE:
Alright.. Your turn.
She turns the girl away from the freak tent and begins
cleaning her face.
Her kerchiefpulls and distorts the little daughter's face.
Suddenly the girl sees a ring of elephants in the distance.
#2 DAUGHTER
Oh,look M-ummy! Elephants!
ANNE:
Oh, elephants! We'll go see them.
She stands.
ANNE:
(to Treves)
You won't be long?
TREVES:
All malayalam serial actress names and photos. I'll join you shortly.
She takes the children off toward the elephants.
Treves watches them go for a moment, then turns and we go
with him into the dark freak tent. He pauses to pay admission
at a small booth, then disappears within.
DARKNESS. We hear what could be the trumpeting of an elephant.
Treves parts the blackcanvas and enters the main part of
the tent. Off to his left he sees a man wrapped in a black
cape, holding a conchshellaloft and blowing powerfully
The Elephant Man Play Script Pdf
into it. The tent is dimly lit with flickering oil lamps.
The Elephant Man Script Pdf
People mill aboutthrough the weaving corridors. To Treves'
John Merrick The Elephant Man Script
right, he sees a sign reading, 'The DeadlyFruit of the
Original Sin,' over a small, very dark corridor.