From circus freak to medical curiosity in Victorian England, Joseph (aka John) Merrick, continues to be a figure of fascination long after his death.

The so-called Elephant Man has been the subject of numerous books, David Lynch’s celebrated 1980 film, and theatre productions including Malthouse’s excellent The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man in 2017.

Now comes something unexpected about this enduring symbol of suffering: a musical comedy, which almost completely re-imagines Merrick’s life as a story of redemption through self-belief and love, complete with happy ending. It’s a bit of this and a bit of that, from Beauty and the Beast to The Rocky Horror Show, but ultimately, this new, independent Australian musical is refreshingly different.

The Marvellous Elephant Man The Musical. Photo © Paul Scott Photography

Recently premiering at Adelaide Fringe, where it won the Adelaide Critics Circle Award, The Marvellous Elephant Man is co-directed by Christopher HF Mitchell (also the producer) and Guy Masterson, who has directed and produced many successful Edinburgh Fringe shows. It’s now being presented in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Written and composed by Marc Lucchesi, Sarah Nandagopan and Jayan Nandagopan, it’s an...