Broadway's The Elephant Man cancels 3 performances

Producers of Broadway's hit play The Elephant Man, by Bernard Pomerance, which is currently playing at the Booth Theatre, have cancelled three performances due to Bradley Cooper's Awards Season commitments.

Mr Cooper has been nominated at this year's Academy Awards ceremony in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role category for 'American Sniper.' As the ceremony takes place on Sunday, 22 February 2015, The Elephant Man will now play its final performance on Saturday, 21 February 2015, a day earlier than scheduled.

Performances on Saturday, 7 February at 8pm and Sunday, 8 February at 3pm have also been cancelled, as Mr Cooper will be attending the 67th Annual DGA Awards and presenting to 'American Sniper' director Clint Eastwood.

The Elephant Man opened on Broadway on 7 December 2014, following previews from 7 November 2014, to positive reviews with much praise for both the production and cast.

The cast is led by Academy Award nominees Bradley Cooper (as John Merrick), and Patricia Clarkson (as Mrs. Kendal), along with Alessandro Nivola (as Dr. Fredrik Treves), who all previously appeared together in the 2012 production of the show in Williamstown Massachusetts. They are joined by Anthony Heald (as Ross / Bishop Walsham How), Scott Lowell (as Snork / Pinhead Manager / Lord John), Kathryn Meisle (as Miss Sandwich / Princess) and Henry Stram (as Carr Gomm / Conductor), Chris Bannow, Peter Bradbury, Lucas Calhoun, Eric Clem, Amanda Lea Mason, Marguerite Stimpson and Emma Thorne.

The Elephant Man is set in 19th-century Britain, and tells the story of a man with a severe facial disfigurement that makes him the star of a travelling circus. As Dr. Treves takes him into care he discovers that under the exterior lies an incredible mind. As Victorian high society become obsessed with the man, the actress Mrs. Kendal becomes strangely drawn to him, adding another layer of complexity.

Bernard Pomerance's play premiered on Broadway in 1979, and has been seen in London at the Royal National Theatre. Sean Mathias directed a revival of the play in 2002 at the Royale Theatre which ran for 57 performances.

The Elephant Man is directed by Scott Ellis and produced on Broadway by James L. Nederlander. It features scenic and projection design by Timothy R. Mackabee, costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Philip S. Rosenberg, and sound design by Drew Levy.

- by Tom Millward