The Elephant Man Cut

[oliviathrock]

Hello!

So I've come across a problem that I was hoping someone may help me fix.

My ITS troupe will be performing at a Regional competition in November, and I think it would be great if we performed The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance. The only problem with this, however, is that I cannot find a cutting of the script that would fit in the 40 minute time limit that we have.

I would like to open the show with the doctor describing Merrick's condition, the scene in which he physically changes into the deformed figure that we see in the play. I know the show is divided into many scenes, but what could I fit in 30-35 minutes that wouldn't ruin the show?

Please send me suggestions!

[oxfordsimon]

You would need to secure the permission of the rights holders to perform any cut version of that script (or any other script that is still in copyright)

Could you look at taking the original story and devising your own script to fit with the constraints of the event?

That way you would have full creative control and not be risking a rejection by the rights holders of your plans.

[Deleted]

I thought this was going go be a reference to the following exchange in Bouncers

"For three fifty you can have the Elephant Man cut"

"What's the Elephant Man cut?"

"It makes one side of your head look bigger than the other"

On topic, I presume the competition is for scripted work, I can't recall the play from the thirty plus years since I last encountered it but any cut shoulds retain sufficient consistent character development to aid the actors and, whatever you do, don't cut lines here and there, just choose long sections, to retain the integrity of the writing.

[horton]

I thought you were asking if he was a Jewish gentleman