A musical by Danny Davies, Judy Wolfson & Pete Gallagher
Treves not only realises that this poor man is in need of a little kindness, but also that the medical profession should be studying rare diseases of all sorts, and so (after much negotiating and fighting) he convinces the hospital to take Merrick in, breaking their hitherto policy of not accepting incurables. Merrick flourishes under his newfound security and finds acceptance among the hospital’s upper-class benefactors. In discovering the theatre, the countryside and his own artistic tendencies, Merrick excels.
The bond between Treves and Merrick is remarkable, with Merrick agreeing to be studied and photographed for posterity while being introduced to stars of stage, screen and even royalty. Against all advice, Treves advertises in The Times, and they raise enough money to create permanent lodging and a nurse for Merrick, with enough left over for a trust fund.
However, a rogue is always a rogue, and Millie (Merrick’s nurse) is dating Harper, who has seen Merrick’s newfound celebrity and wants his share – after all, he ‘discovered’ him! Harper will stop at nothing in the pursuit of wealth, until eventually it becomes a straight choice between his financial plan and Millie - his only love, although he hasn’t even admitted that to himself yet.
The show is seen through the eyes of Frederick Treves, who is lecturing still, many years after the death of Merrick. Treves - a career man, a determined man and a family man, became the man who perhaps did not ‘discover’ Merrick, but saw through the hideous shell and identified the soul. In doing so, many believe he discovered his own.
In writing this show, we have purposefully avoided the many clichés and pitfalls that are open to us and the storyline. We have worked hard to avoid it being just another Elephant Man story, as the focus and driving force of the story is how Treves met him, how both their lives were changed for ever and how the message of tolerance continues.
Therefore, as examples, the song Welcome to the Freak Show is about Victorian double-standards and not a circus, and the song Face to Face is compassion taking on the establishment, not ‘acceptable’ versus ‘disfigured’.
n the show, the character of Merrick does not speak, he only sings, and so we only ever hear purity – the voice of the soul - not the impeded voice we are all familiar with. Also, he is not presented in all his disfigurement using prosthetics; rather the skill of the actor should be utilised along with a few separate points in the script when a shadow or silhouette can present us with a startlingly different image and remind us why people reacted so violently.
Danny composed his first musical, "Loco Parentis" aged 19 (Wyllyotts Theatre, Potters Bar). From here, he went on to study Music and Education at Keele University and, following his graduation in 1997, he embarked upon his professional career as a composer, writing tracks and developing artists for Sony, Dewolfe, Chrysalis and Plugged. During the 15 years that followed, he received commissions for over 400 works for TV, film and radio, and his music is frequently heard on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky, in addition to a vast number of international TV and radio stations.
Danny continued to set aside time to pursue his passion for Musical Theatre and, through his collaboration with Judy Wolfson and Pete Gallagher, he co-wrote 'Face To Face' (formerly "Merrick") which debuted at The Pleasance Theatre, London in 2001.
Other theatrical projects include "Friends Reunited" (working title), and "Chasing The Dream" - written with Pete Gallagher, this being the first musical to be featured in the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, with songs from the musical reaching over 9 million viewers.
Danny's recently released CD “Hey Producer!” offers a collection of songs from past productions, more recent projects and tracks written specifically for the album. The project received positive acclaim from critics and industry media, along with endorsement from Dame Judi Dench (for more information, please visit www.heyproducer.com).
It was through "Hey Producer!" that Dany first met Alex Scott Fairley, co-writer of SWEET - the new Briitsh Musical.
Judy studied at Birmingham University where she received a distinction specialising in Youth work and Drama. She managed the Drama workshop "Adlib" and taught drama for 15 years. During this time, she produced and directed a number of amateur musicals, including "Rock Against Racism" at the Roundhouse, and a 1920s review with guest performer Roy Castle. Together with creative partner and musician Clive Noble, she wrote and produced the musical "Candle Cruse" (Logan Hall) and "Imagamo" (Winston Churchill Theatre, Ruislip). The latter won first prize in the Israel Youth Theatre Festival (English category) and was featured extensively on Israeli radio. Judy and Clive were later commissioned to produce a musical series from the show for a major UK TV network.
Further productions include Loco Parentis (Wyllyotts Theatre) and, more recently, the musical "Face to Face" (formerly “Merrick”), alongside composer Danny Davies librettist Pete Gallagher. The show was showcased at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington and featured in part during the International Festival of Musical Theatre, Cardiff. Judy has continued her writing partnership with Danny, working on a number of up-and-coming projects, including “Friends Reunited” (working title), from which “We’re Not The Same” has been taken.
Credits:
Film and TV; Sarah & Duck (voice of ‘Moon’), Nuzzle & Scratch, My Hero, Casualty, Waking the Dead, Pulling Through Anyway, Lunar Girl, The Mrs Bradley Mysteries, Jesus Christ Superstar (2000 & 2012), The Two Of Us, Square Deal, Moon & Son, Bergerac, South & My Fair Hugh.
Theatre credits include; George in Don't Dress For Dinner (UK Tour), Captain Barbier in The Braille Legacy (Savoy), Farley Flavors in Shock Treatment (Kings Head), Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Arena Tour), Leontes in The Winters Tale (Landor Theatre), Reed Chandler in The Fix (Union Theatre), Jud Fry in Oklahoma! (UK Tour), Victor Fleming in Moonlight & Magnolias (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Policeman in The Pirates of Penzance (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Childcatcher/Boris/Sid/Gerald in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium), Aristide Bruant in Lautrec (Shaftesbury), Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Regent’s Park), Big Jule in Guys and Dolls (Sheffield Crucible), Straight Arrow in Dr Dolittle (Hammersmith Apollo), Eddie/Dr Scott in The Rocky Horror Show (Duke of York’s), Lucifer in The Mystery Plays (Wimbledon), Big Bopper in Buddy (Victoria Palace), John/Judas in Godspell (UK Tour), Caleb in Fields of Ambrosia (Aldwych), Monster in Frankenstein (Wimbledon), Keith in Up On The Roof (Queen’s Hornchurch), Jay Vinyl in Release the Beat (Arcola), The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (Bristol Old Vic), Jerry in Betrayl (Eye Theatre), Jay Vinyl in Release The Beat (Arcola), and many pantos including five years with Shane Richie and eight with John Barrowman as their ‘baddie’ of choice!
Soundtracks; Jesus Christ Superstar, Dr. Dolittle, Fields of Ambrosia and Yee-Haw! He has also been the voice behind dozens of commercials including the Action Man campaign and there is a strong possibility he may be the voice of your satellite navigation system.
Recent directing includes; The Addams Family (Barcelona), Just So (Zurich), God - The Untold Story (King's Head), Spring Awakening (First UK tour), as well as Bachelor Girls, Merrily We Roll Along, Private Lives, Godspell, Cabaret, Lucky Stiff, The Vackees, The Lift Party, Great Expectations, Hamlet, The Wizard of Oz, After Magritte, The Real Inspector Hound and News Revue at various venues, and the critically acclaimed gothic punk A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Chelsea. Pete was resident drama coach on the “Joseph” TV search Any Dream Will Do, as well as Strictly Come Dancing and Gladiators. Two of his own shows are currently in development: Fanny Hill and A Teenage Opera.
Below are some extracts from Face To Face The Musical. For further information, please click here>>
