Scene One – He Will Have 100 Guineas Before He is Forty

The play opens with Dr Treves, presenting himself to the hospital administrator (Carr Gomm) – he is the new lecturer in anatomy at the London Hospital.  They agree a salary and Gomm suggests that Treves will be able to earn up to a 100 guineas per patient by the time he is forty.  Gomm also points out that it is Treves duty to increase the status and reputation of the hospital.

Gomm refers to the salary as an excellent consolation prize, but Treves responds that he does not need a consolation prize as he has already achieved some professional and personal success.  However, the idea of high fees does appeal to him.

Scene Two – Art is Nothing to Nature

In a nearby shop in Whitechapel Road Ross is collecting money from a viewing of John Merrick, who he describes as “… this freak of nature, the Elephant Man”.  Treves enters the shop, he wants to look at Merrick but will not pay if “he is a mass of papier-maché and paint”.  After seeing Merrick, Treves explains who he is and that he wants to examine Merrick at the hospital.  He initially refuses to pay Ross a fee of five bob for the day until Ross explains that this is their livelihood – people pay everyday to look a Merrick.

Scene Three – Who Has Seen the Like of This?

Treves is lecturing on Merrick, using slides; Merrick is also present to demonstrate the nature of his deformities.  At the end of the lecture a member of the audience challenges Treves for allowing Merrick to return to the freak show.  Treves states that he is just a doctor and asks what they would have him do; they indicate that they have a suggestion

Scene Four – This Indecency May Not Continue

In a freak show in Brussels a man instructs two pinheads (mentally and physically disabled women whose heads rise to a sharp point) to get ready to perform.  Ross and Merrick enter.  Ross tells Merrick that it is freer in Europe than in London and that they should be able to make a lot of money.  He goes to discuss their show with the police, while Merrick tells the pinheads about how they were chased out of London.  He tells them that he would like to do a show with them at some point and that he can fund it with the forty eight pounds he’s saved.  Merrick tells the Pinheads that Ross has his money and that he is happy.  The manger tells the Pinheads to start their show; they start singing but get the words wrong.  Their Manager is angry as he has to send the audience away and the Pinheads start to cry.  While Merrick is attempting to comfort them Ross enters with two policemen.  He tells them that he was promised the right to exhibit Merrick but they refuse permission. 

The policemen and the Pinheads disappear leaving Merrick alone with Ross.  Ross tells Merrick that he is leaving him “I’ve decided.  I’m sending you back, lad.  You’re a flop.  No, you’re a liability.  You ain’t the moneymaker I figured, so that’s it.”  He gives Merrick some money for food, and gives a train conductor enough money to see Merrick gets back to England, but keeps the rest of Merrick’s money for his troubles.  Merrick tries to tell the conductor that he has been robbed but he cannot make himself understood.

Scene Five – Police Side with Imbecile Against The Crowd
 
Merrick arrive in London but a crowd turns on him so the conductor hands him over to the police for his own protection.  Unable to understand Merrick a policeman goes through his coat trying to find some identification.  They find Treves card.  The conductor offers to find Treves and bring him back to the station.  Treves is horrified at Merrick’s condition.  Merrick asks Treves to help him.  

Scene Six – Even on the Niger and Ceylon, not this

Merrick is in the bath at the hospital.  Treves is outside interviewing a nurse, Miss Sandwich, he explains that he is having trouble finding someone to nurse Merrick.  Miss Sandwich insists that she will not be frightened by Merrick, claiming her experiences in Niger and Ceylon mean she will not be frightened by what she is about to see.  Treves describes Merrick in detail commenting on the public belief that Merrick has bought his condition on himself. Treves and Nurse Sandwich both agree that this belief is wrong. 

Treves is taking Merrick’s lunch into him and asks Miss Sandwich to accompany him so that he can introduce her.  She agrees and asks to carry the tray.  Horrified by Merrick’s appearance she runs out of the room.  Merrick thanks Treves for saving his lunch this time, indicating that this is not the first time Treves has attempted to find a nurse for Merrick.  Treves leaves the room and tells Miss Sandwich she has let him down.  Miss Sandwich claims Treves mislead her and that he will never find anyone to look after Merrick.

^ top of page

Scene Seven – The English Public Will Pay For Him To Be Like Us

Merrick is in the bath tub reading, the Bishop of Walsham How is talking to Treves about Merrick’s fortitude, faith, and knowledge of the Bible.  Treves explains that Merrick’s knowledge of the Bible comes from his time in the workhouse. The Bishop offers to help Merrick with his religious instruction.

Gomm enters and announces that the response to his letter to Tthe Times has resulted in enough money being raised to ensure that Merrick can stay at the hospital for the rest of this life and reminds Treves that it is against normal hospital policy.

Gomm jokingly calls Treves Jesus and asks Treves what his plans are for Merrick now they have enough money to look after him. Treves states that he intends to make Merrick’s life as normal as possible.  Gomm jokes that Merrick will end up like them.  Treves asks why Merrick shouldn’t be like them.

Scene Eight – Mercy and Justice Elude Our Minds and Actions

Merrick is once again in the bath this time talking to Treves and Gomm.  They tell him that he will have a home at the hospital for life.  Merrick says he would like to live in a home for the blind so that no one will stare at him.  Treves tells him that no one will stare at him but at the same time a porter and assistant enter the room.  The porter is showing Merrick off as a curiosity.  Gomm fires the porter and sends the assistant away.  Gomm talks about the importance of discipline.  Treves prompts Merrick to thank Gomm, Merrick does so but also comments that if everyone who stared at him was sacked whole towns would be out of work. Treves again prompts Merrick to thank Gomm.  Gomm leaves. 

Treves lectures Merrick on how he should be happy living in an environment where he has rules and a permanent home.  Merrick asks Treves why rules make people happy.  Treves explains that rules will bring Merrick happiness because they are for his own good, so if he follows the rules he will be happy.

Once Treves is happy Merrick has understood the importance of rules he asks him for more information on his past life.  Merrick tells Treves about his life in the workhouse, and wonders if the porter and his family will end up in one.  Treves points out to Merrick that Gomm was showing mercy to Merrick when he fired the porter.  Merrick questions whether mercy can also be cruel.  Treves replies that that is the just the way things are.  The scene ends with Merrick saying boom, boom, boom to represent the beating he had in the workhouse.

^ top of page

Scene Nine - Most Important are Women

Treves introduces Merrick to Mrs Kendal, a famous actress.  Treves meets with Mrs Kendal and suggests that as an actress she would be the ideal woman to introduce to Merrick.  He explains to her that Merrick wants to lead a normal life; including meeting women, but all the women he has meets find him repulsive.  Treves believes that as an actress Mrs Kendal will be able to hide her true feelings.  She agrees to the meeting but asks Treves if Merrick’s illness has inhibited his sexual function.  Treves is embarrassed by her question but does finally admit that Merrick functions perfectly.   Mrs Kendal comments that Merrick must then be very lonely.

Scene Ten – When the Illusion Ends He Must Kill Himself

Treves takes Mrs Kendal to visit Merrick, when they enter Merrick is drawing.  Treves explains to Mrs Kendal that Merrick is making a drawing of a St Phillip’s church as he intends to make a model of it.

Treves leaves Mrs Kendal and Merrick alone.  Merrick compliments Mrs Kendal.  He tells her that he does not know why he looks like he does as his mother was beautiful.  He then goes on to tell Mrs Kendal that his mother was knocked over by an elephant while she was pregnant which might be the reason why he looks like he does.

They discuss Romeo and Juliet and through this discussion Merrick shows he is capable of deep thought.  They also discuss the fact that they both put themselves on display to earn a living.

Treves enters and announces that the Pathological Society have published his article on Merrick.

Mrs Kendal tells Treves that she intends to introduce Merrick to some of her friends.  She tells Merrick she will return with her friend Dorothy Lady Neville to teach him about society.  She shakes Merrick’s hand before she leaves.  Merrick sobs uncontrollably as he has never before shaken a woman’s hand.

^ top of page

Scene Eleven – He Does It With Just One Hand

Merrick is in his room working on his model of St Phillip’s church.  He is visited by important ladies and gentlemen of society including the Princess of Wales who wish him a Happy Christmas and leave him a gift.  Mrs Kendal enters and announces that the Prince of Wales has given permission for them to use his Royal Box at the theatre. She compliments Merrick on the model, to which he responds that he does it with just one hand.  Merrick describes his model as imitation of imitation. Treves is in the room and notes each gift as it is presented to Merrick.

After the guests leave Treves and Merrick discuss his model of St Philip’s. Treves compares Merrick’s earlier comment to one by Plato.  Merrick in response states that if all humans are copies made by God, that God should have used both hands.  He then adds another piece to the model of St Phillip’s.

Scene Twelve – Who Does He Remind You Of?

Mrs Kendal, the Bishop, Gomm, the Duchess, the Princess of Wales and Lord John enter and comment on how Merrick shares similar characteristics to them.  Each fails to recognise that Merrick has a personality of his own. 

The scene ends with Treves reading out an entry from his journal.  He states that Merrick’s condition is getting worse.  Treves concludes that Merrick is like himself, in that both their situations are changing in a way they cannot understand.  For Merrick his condition is deteriorating and for Treves his new place in society.

Scene Thirteen – Anxieties of the Swamp

Lord John and Treves are talking, it appears that Lord John has misappropriated some of the money meant for Merrick’s care and is attempting to borrow more money from Treves.  Gomm enters and reminds Treves that his duty is to the hospital and that he should no longer lend money to Lord John. Lord John leaves and Gomm warns Treves to be careful in his dealings with Lord John who he describes as “a one man moral swamp”. 

Gomm leaves and Mrs Kendal enters for one of her regular meetings.  She comments on a newspaper article on Lord John.  Treves leaves explaining that his must return to his hospital duties.

Merrick has overheard the conversation between Treves and Lord John and he is worried that he will have to leave the hospital.  Mrs Kendal attempts to make small talk with Merrick but he asks her if she will remain his friend if he has to leave.  Her answer is non committal.  Merrick puts another piece on his model of St Philips Church.

^ top of page

Scene Fourteen – Art is Permitted but Nature Forbidden

Mrs Kendal is visiting Merrick.  They discuss Merrick’s belief that many men have wives and or mistresses but he has none.  Merrick comments that it is bad enough that he cannot sleep the same as other men (he must sleep sitting up with his head resting on his knees) and that this is made worse by the fact that he must sleep alone.   Merrick asks Mrs Kendal if she is shocked by his comments, she replies that she is not. 

Merrick confesses that he has never seen a naked woman.  Mrs Kendal lists the women Merrick is acquainted with and asks which he would like to see but he rejects them all. Mrs Kendal asks him what the Bishop and Treves would say if they knew he was having those thoughts.

Merrick suggests they read but Mrs Kendal instructs him to turn around as she has a surprise for him.  When she asks him to turn round she is naked.  She lets her hair down saying that there will no longer be any illusion about her.  At that moment Treves walks in. He is shocked by Mrs Kendal’s nudity and demands she gets dressed. Treves shouts that it is a great shame that this incident happened.  Merrick puts another piece on his model of St Phillips church.

Scene Fifteen – Ingratitude Ross Visits Merrick

Ross visits Merrick and asks him for forgiveness.  He suggests that they work together again and start charging Merrick’s new ‘friends’ when they visit him.   Merrick comments that Ross makes him sound like a whore.  Ross argues that everyone is a whore and the only disgrace is to be a stupid one.

Merrick tells Ross that he doesn’t want to be exhibited again.  Ross reminds him that he rescued Merrick from the workhouse and that it is unfair for others like Treves to benefit from the work he put into Merrick.  Merrick reminds Ross that he robbed him and left him to die. 

Ross taunts Merrick with the idea of being with a woman, Merrick responds that being with a woman does not make a man a man.

Ross begs Merrick think again about working with him, but Merrick refuses.  Ross responds by saying that he is lost and as good as condemned to a dosshouse.

^ top of page

Scene Sixteen – No Reliable General Anaesthetic

Merrick and Treves discuss the Bible, and the ideal that in heaven god will make the crooked straight.  Treves is more interested in reading about and discussing the effects of anaesthetics.  He relates a story of a woman who described her near death experience after recovering from an unreliable anaesthetic. 

They also discuss Mrs Kendal and if she will return.  Merrick questions Treves on why it is proper for him to look at his female patients naked but improper for Merrick to see Mrs Kendal naked.  Treves repeatedly asks Merrick if he is angry.

Treves eventually concedes he may have been too harsh in sending Mrs Kendal away but states that he does not think she would come back again as there are other things involved.  As Merrick leaves for a walk he asks Treves what the other things are.  Treves doesn’t answer but after Merrick has left he confesses that it is because he does not want Mrs Kendal to be there when Merrick dies, then slumps into an armchair.

Scene Seventeen – Cruelty is as Nothing to Kindness 

Treves dreams that Merrick has come to examine him.  Gomm is also there but disguised a Ross.  The scene echoes Scene two Merrick wants to take Treves across the road to examine him.  Gomm is reluctant to let him go with out charge stating how valuable an investment to the hospital Treves is.  He also says that Treves is a good man suggesting that he should not be exploited by Merrick.  Merrick responds by saying that Treves is exemplary for study because he is such a good man.  Gomm agrees to release Treves to Merrick until the next morning.

Scene Eighteen – We Are Dealing With An Epidemic

Treves’ dream continues.  Merrick is lecturing on Treves analysing his physical condition which again echoes the earlier scene.  Merrick describes Treves as self satisfied, sexually repressed and unable to emphasise with others.  

The Pinheads enter and comment on the demand that Treves should not be returned to his former life, asking Merrick what he intends to do about it.  This echoes the comment made in Scene Two after Treves lecture on Merrick.  Merrick states that Treves condition is not an isolated one but that it is already at epidemic proportions. 

Merrick puts another piece on his model of St Phillips church as Treves begins to wake up.

^ top of page

Scene Nineteen – They Cannot Make out What He is Saying

Merrick is in his room praying with Bishop How. 

Treves is observing them.  Gomm enters and he and Treves discuss Merrick’s impending death.  Gomm comments on the amount of money and the improvement in the hospitals reputation that is a result of Merrick’s stay there. Treves comments on the irony that Merrick’s condition should deteriorate while he is becoming more ‘normal’ emotionally and wonders if it is a parable that to become more normal (to grow up) is to die.  Gomm exits telling Treves not to worry as he has been knighted and he will have kings as his clients.

The Bishop tells Treves how moving he finds his sessions with Merrick.  Treves responds by saying that they have polished Merrick like a mirror so that people like the Bishop see their own qualities reflected in him and are flattered.   The Bishop does not understand Treves meaning and ask him to explain. Treves speaks at length and confusingly about his frustration at making people well so they can return to their lives that made them ill in the first place.

The Bishop tells Treves that he still does not understand his meaning but suggests Treves could find consolation in the Church as Merrick has.  Treves angrily responds saying that Merrick responds to anything that will give him a sense of normality.  He breaks down in tears and begs the Bishop for help.  Merrick places the final piece in place on his model of St Phillip’s and announces that “It is done”.

Scene Twenty – The Weight of Dreams

Merrick is in his room watching a funeral procession out of his window.  Snork brings in his lunch. Snork comments on how his friend’s sister recently died suddenly.  He searches for the right word to describe the situation but fails.  He leaves the room.  Merrick eats a little bit of his lunch, polishes his model of St Phillip’s Church and goes to bed.  He sleeps in his normal position, sitting up with his arms around his legs and his head resting on his knees. 

The Pinheads appear and sing the song they got wrong in Scene Five.  They straighten Merrick out into a ‘normal’ sleeping position.

Snork re-enters as he has remembered the word he was searching for and discovers that Merrick has died.

Scene Twenty One – Final Report to The Investors

Gomm reads a letter he is sending to the editor of The Times newspaper reporting Merrick’s death and announcing that any remaining funds raised by the newspapers readers for Merrick’s stay in the hospital will be put towards the hospitals general revenue. 

Treves tells Gomm that he has gotten Merrick’s first name wrong. Gomm continues reading the letter then asks Treves if he would like to add anything. Treves states that Merrick was hightly intelligent, had acute sensibility and a romantic imagination, but then he says he is not certain of anything to do with Merrick anymore and leaves.

Gomm continues to read the letter thanking the readers.  Treves comes back saying he has thought of something to add.  But Gomm tells him he is too late, it is done.

^ top of page