12+ Advisories: Theatrical Smoke, Haze, Flashing Lights, Loud Noises Triggers - This show uses language some may find upsetting relating to disability, as well as portrayals of abusive behaviour relating to disability. This show also contains strong language, graphic depictions of surgical procedures, themes of bereavement and death. The play explicitly engages with and critiques treatments of the disabled, past and present, which were infringements on human rights. Their presentation here is to further the exploration of inequities around disability in society.
Tickets
From £18, including booking fee
Part of My Belgrade Subscription - Autumn 2023
Make sure you book early to guarantee the best seats at the best prices. All ticket prices are subject to change.
Group rates available on request. To find out more and to make a booking, contact our dedicated Groups Team via groups@belgrade.co.uk
If you think you know the story of The Elephant Man - think again.
The European premiere of Australian playwright Tom Wright’s acclaimed play imagines an alternative. This is the story of a man fighting for his right to be and to belong.
Arriving from his East Midlands beginnings in a London thick with the grime of industrialisation, Joseph Merrick is an anomaly. In a city of factories that churn out uniformity, there is no place for a unique being like him. But Merrick and the city are evolving into something new. We follow him through the workhouse, the freakshow and hospital as he searches for acceptance in a society that just wants to stare at him.
Powerful, angry and surprising – The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man questions industrialisation, capitalism, disability and difference, finally putting Joseph at the centre of his own story.
Every performance of The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man is presented in a relaxed environment, which means that audience members are able to exit and re-enter the auditorium during the performance if they need to and there is a relaxed attitude to noise so that audience members can respond to the show in whatever way feels natural. Please note that these are not fully relaxed performances and house lights may be dimmed in the auditorium.
All performances will also have integrated Captioning and Audio Description.
A touch tour will be held at 6pm on Weds 25 Oct. Please call the Box Office on 024 7655 3055 to book a place.
The show features loud music. Please ask a member of our Front of House Team for ear defenders if you need them. The show also features theatrical smoke and haze.
Director Stephen Bailey is the winner of The RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award 2022. Zak Ford-Williams’ previous work includes Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (Nottingham Playhouse) and BBC1 drama Better.
Supported with a grant from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust.
1060 Zak Ford-Williams on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
0729 Zak Ford-Williams and Tim Pritchett on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
1015 Zak Ford-Williams and Killian Thomas Lefevre on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
3003 Zak Ford-Williams and Nadia Nadarajah on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
3258 Zak Ford-Williams and Nadia Nadarajah on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
6023 Tim Pritchett, Nadia Nadarajah, Killian Thomas Lefevre, Annabelle Davis, and Daneka Etchells on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
6103 Nadia Nadarajah, Annabelle Davis, Zak Ford-Williams, Daneka Etchells, and Tim Pritchett on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
3181 Zak Ford-Williams, Tim Pritchett and Daneka Etchells on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
6385 Annabelle Davis and Zak Ford-Williams on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
6747 Nadia Nadarajah, Zak Ford-Williams and Annabelle Davis on stage in The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. Photo by Marc Brenner.
Tickets
From £18, including booking fee
Part of My Belgrade Subscription - Autumn 2023
Make sure you book early to guarantee the best seats at the best prices. All ticket prices are subject to change.
