The Elephant Man -TNT

Inspired by the true story of John Merrick, Bernard Pomerance's 1977 play charts his life from fairground freak to his early death in 1890. Horrendously disfigured by a progressive disorder, Merrick found permanent sanctuary at the London Hospital under the care of Frederick Treves, later surgeon to the King. In stark contrast to his physical appearance, Merrick proved to be a thoughtful young man who was visited by royalty, and whose intelligence forced Treves to question his own responsibilities, as well as that of society as a whole. Clumsy staging detracts from the overall impact, but Marc Pickering, shaven-headed, his face and body contorted (and without the aid of prosthetics) memorably conveys the inner longings of a man precluded from experiencing the joys of a normal existence.

Trafalgar Studios 2, Whitehall, SW1, 0870 060 6632. Until May 5

LOUISE KINGSLEY