I first reviewed Elephant in the Room during its sellout run at Brighton Fringe in 2021. Looking back at that time – an open-air show after the travails of lockdown – I spent most of my review whingeing about being stuck in a remedial boot due to snapping my achilles tendon. That show soon slapped me down for first-world whining when faced with the life and times of Joseph Merrick.
Fast forward to 2026 and, rather than the breezy environs of Victoria Gardens, the dark and bijou setting of Ironworks Studios suits the production better (don’t mention the bar prices). Why? The workhouse and freak show settings might seem unlikely in such an intimate space but Phil Nair-Brown, as not one but two showmen in Merrick’s life, stalks the stage (and the audience) like a demented offshoot of a Clockwork Orange boot boy and sets the scene(s) for Merrick’s early life perfectly, detailing the struggles he faced.
So how do you recreate the life of such a misunderstood character as Joseph Merrick? Spend 12 hours in the make-up chair, as John Hurt did in the seminal 1980 film The Elephant Man? Not here. You ignore that element and let the audience use their imagination.
And boy does it work.
Carl Lovejoy has an engaging persona that helps the audience connect with Merrick’s psyche, while he has an innate ability to escalate his voice to a wondrous vibrato. He brings a poignant tenderness and vulnerability to the role. He is certainly one to watch.
Likewise Eleanor Larkin, who plays Madge Kendal, the actress who became a key friend and benefactor to Merrick. She has an incredibly powerful voice that recalls the mellifluous range of our beloved Sussex skylark. A name so apt, she emanates the spirit of Julie Andrews or Shani Wallis in Oliver! I hope she takes that as the compliment one intends!
The cast of this production has to don many hats and Fillipe Ribeiro, Tonie Ow and Marcus Truman add to the feeling that here is a steadfast unit that has each other’s backs. They win the hearts of the crowd from the off, aided and abetted by some understated but to-the-point choreography by Cara Jervis.
Perry and Tullett, the show’s composers, will be familiar names to Brighton and Hove gig-goers (remember gigs?) thanks to their hundreds of shows as members of ska legends Too Many Crooks. P&T’s tunes for Elephant in the Room capture some of that magical skullduggery. While Sticks and Stones and the titular track evoke a whiff of whimsy, you’re more likely to reach for your handkerchief for an entirely different reason.
Through powerful songs and heartfelt storytelling, this production shines a light on Merrick’s courage, humanity and determination to live life on his own terms. Rather than a tale of adversity, it’s a celebration of resilience and a universal desire to belong.
The production ends with the question: “If Merrick were alive now, would we still stare at him?” You know we would, living in these days of Big Tech boresville.
But I think if Merrick, who died at 27, could by some esoteric miracle look in on this production, he would be surprised at how far humanity has moved on since those Victorian times – even though it might not feel like it right now.
The show is part of the Brighton Fringe at Ironworks Studios, 30 Cheapside, Brighton, Monday 4 May to Wednesday 6 May. Performances at 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
For tickets, click here.
We watched the show last night and it was great. Moving and entertaining all at once.
Excellent review of a poignant and powerful production, Martin. I also watched the show last night and the cast, writers, director and lighting/stage team deserve the highest praise. Good luck for the rest of the run.
We went on the opening night of the 2026 festival. It was an interesting take on the life of Joseph Merrick. It was beautifully and sensitively portrayed showing the true human element, with a fantastic cast and great performance.