Merrick, The Elephant Man, at 59E59's Theater C

The 2009 Brits Off-Broadway festival presents the US premiere of Proteus Theatre Company's production of Merrick, The Elephant Man, devised and written by Mary Swan & Saul Jaffe, opening at 59E59's Theater C on 1 Dec, following previews from 24 Nov and running through to 13 Dec 2009.

Merrick, The Elephant Man is described in press notes as "A highly physical, one-man tour-de-force version of this classic story recharged for the 21st Century. Often the most remarkable stories are the true ones, and the story of Joseph Carey Merrick is certainly that. From an object of curiosity and social revulsion to celebrity, Merrick's life and tragic destiny is as relevant today as it ever was."

Directed by Mary Swan, Merrick, The Elephant Man is performed by Saul Jaffe. The design team features production design by Sam Pine and music by Paul Wild.

The Proteus Theatre Company presented Merrick, The Elephant Man at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Saul Jaffé (playwright/performer) has worked in, and with, many theatres in Britain such as the Young Vic, Tricycle, Arcola, BAC, Birmingham Rep and the National. Notable productions include: 'The Ramayana,' 'Broadway in the Shadows,' 'Telling Tales,' and 'If I Were Lifted Up.' For over 10 years he has forged a close working relationship with Mary Swan, artistic director of Proteus Theatre Company, devising, creating and/or co-writing over half a dozen productions.

Mary Swan (playwright/director) joined Proteus Theatre Company as Artistic Director in December 2004. Previously she was Associate Director at The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, Associate Director for Solent Peoples Theatre and Artistic Director of Fortnight Productions. She began her career as an actor and community arts practitioner. Swan is developing another one-man productioncharting the life and career of Harry Houdini for 2010. She has just finished directing and writing a sold out UK tour of 'Dracula.'