‘The Elephant Man’ is an inspirational theatrical feat

When I heard that Daniel Traylor was going to be playing the central role in PHAMALY’s production of The Elephant Man I got busy arranging an interview. The first thing the actor said in our phoner was that he was still in awe of getting the role of John Merrick.

Steve Wilson and Bryce Alexander are scheduled to co-direct him in Bernard Pomerance’s superb play at The Aurora Fox Arts Theater in January.

Traylor spoke at length about the heartbreaking and inspirational play that focuses on Merrick’s relationship with Frederick Treves (Mark Dissette) the doctor who took him in and became his protector.

Treves wanted to help Merrick by introducing him to individuals in the upper class. Later, the doctor struggled with the fear that he may not have helped Merrick improve his life experience at all since the socialites who came to see Merrick treated him the same way as those who saw him in the human curiosity exhibit in London’s East End.

Treves did all he could to eliminate fear in a kind benefactress named Miss Kendall (Lucy Roucis) and these other new acquaintances. (Sometimes nurses would come in with Merrick’s lunch and unprepared to see how hideously deformed he appeared), would run out screaming.

Many times these new “acquaintances” would give Merrick gifts such as a hairbrush or a cigar case, which he could not possibly use. Nevertheless Merrick found great joy in these things because they made him feel a sense of connection. In spite of his many trials Merrick developed a sense of inner peace with the world. Traylor said that Merrick had this great faith, which allowed him to believe that what the Bible promised about being whole again in Heaven was true. Because of this belief Merrick was not an angry man.

When asked what the young actor found to be most challenging aspect of portraying this character he said it was taking on the physiological aspects of the role. Merrick’s limbs curled upward and his back was afflicted with a terrible scoliosis. An actor playing Merrick is onstage most of the evening and has to hold the contorted posture reflective of this tortured man throughout. As far as the challenge of Merrick’s voice Traylor indicated that he would have to present a speech impediment of slurred and sloppy speech that comes out of one side of his face. Here the challenge is being honest presenting the impediment while still being able to be understood by the audience.

‘The Elephant Man’ will be presented at The Aurora Fox Arts on the Main Stage. Previews begin on Jan. 12 and it runs Jan 14 through February 4. For tickets call 303-739-1970 or online at http://tickets@phamaly.org