Bradley Cooper has hinted that he will transfer his performance in the hugely successful Broadway hit The Elephant Man to the West End later this year.
The Hollywood star has sparked much excitement in Theatreland today, after telling talk show host Jimmy Fallon: “We’re going to do it [in New York] till 22 February, and then I think we’re going to take it to London.”
While the West End transfer is yet to be confirmed, fans of the American Sniper and Silver Linings Playbook actor will no doubt be thrilled to hear that Cooper is looking to make his London stage debut, with rumours the play could arrive as early as April.
Bernard Pomerance’s seminal play tells the real-life story of John Merrick, a man whose rare physical deformities brought him to fame as the so-called Elephant Man. After spending much of his life travelling as part of a freak show, a chance encounter with British surgeon Frederick Treves led to the possibility of Merrick living a normal life.
Directed by six-time Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis, the production opened last month to critical acclaim. Variety lauded the play as “breathtakingly beautiful” with Cooper earning plaudits for the physically demanding starring role.
The production also boasts a cast including Cooper’s American Hustle co-star Alessandro Nivola and Broadway regular Patricia Clarkson. Cooper told Fallon they too would be coming to London, saying “We’re working on it now, but I think it’s going to work out. We’re going to take the whole company, too. Everybody.”
While the West End awaits further news of the possible London transfer, the company will continue their critically acclaimed run at New York’s Booth Theatre until 22 February.