Bradley Cooper 'terrific' as The Elephant Man

Critics hail Cooper's 'bold' performance as Broadway hit transfers to London... but it's a shame about the play

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(Image credit: Joan Marcus)

The hit Broadway production of The Elephant Man has transferred to London's West End and once again its star Bradley Cooper has impressed the critics. But Bernard Pomerance's 1977 play has fared less well, with some critics calling it slow and dated.

The plot is based on the life story of a severely deformed Victorian man, Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the play), and his journey from despised freak show act to medical curiosity and Victorian celebrity. The play first opened at the Hampstead Theatre in London in 1977, and went on to become a Broadway hit at the time.

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