Town Players of Newtown will host auditions for The Elephant Man on Sunday and Monday, February 9-10, starting 7 pm each evening.

The 2020 season opener will be directed by Terry Polvay, and produced by Michele Leigh and Ella Jurgielewicz.

A moving drama, the play is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London in the latter part of the 19th Century. Horribly deformed, and in order to earn a living, he was a main attraction in traveling side shows. He became known around the world as “The Elephant Man.”

Abandoned and helpless, Merrick found himself under the care of a young doctor, who educated and introduced John Merrick to London society. Despite his affliction, his dignity and wisdom changes him from an object of pity to the witty favorite of the aristocracy.

Written by Bernard Pomperance, the play has received major drama awards, including the Tony Award and the New York Drama Critics Award. Recently performed in 2015 with Bradley Cooper in the lead role, the play continues to gain acclaim and awards.

The Town Players’ production of The Elephant Man is scheduled for weekends, April 24-May 9. Curtain will be Friday and Saturday evenings, and one Sunday afternoon.

Auditions will be held at The Little Theater, 18 Orchard Hill Road in Newtown. Those planning to audition should be prepared to read from the script.

There are openings for six men and two women, with multiple casting to be done. The cast is as follows: John Merrick, “The Elephant Man”; Dr Frederick Treaves, the surgeon and teacher who befriends John Merrick; Carr Gomm, administrator of London Hospital; Ross, manager of the Elephant Man; three women sideshow attractions whose heads are pointed; Belgian police officers and a London police officer.

Actors will also be needed to play a man at a fairground in Brussels, the conductor of Ostend-London boat train, Bishop Walsham How, a porter at London Hospital, another porter (named Snork), an actress named Mrs Kendal, a duchess, a countess, Princess Alexandra, Lord John, and a nurse, Miss Sandwich.

For more information visit newtownplayers.org or send email to info@newtownplayers.org.