Review: The Elephant Man At Rummer’s Tavern
Beautiful and grotesque. Malvolio’s Corner’s rendition of The Elephant Man is truly wonderful.
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Ram Ajmeria (middle), Tabitha Floyd (left) and Thomas Smith (Right)
The Elephant Man is a film that many people recognise the title of, but not as many have actually watched. This made it a perfect choice for Malvolio’s Corner’s interpretation, which drew on both the 1980 film and the real-life story of Joseph Merrick, on whom the film was based.
Set in the oldest pub in Cardiff, The Rummer’s Tavern, the location served as an intimate venue, where the audience sat around the action. This cozy setting added a surprising intensity to the performance.
Written and co-directed by Joshua Salisbury, he also played the role of Joseph Merrick. Notably, Salisbury entered wearing a mask, hiding his face. When it was removed, it revealed nothing, but the rest of the cast played it off as if he had a large facial difference. Instead, Salisbury wore a garment on his back created by co-director Alana Ferguson. Ferguson succeeded in crafting something truly disturbing.
The garment
Salisbury brought a calmness to the role, bringing intelligence and dignity to the part. His restraint was compelling, allowing the audience to focus on the character rather than theatrical gimmicks. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for him and his production company, as his talent is clearly matched by his creative vision.
A stellar performer, Salisbury had such strong chemistry with the other actors. Especially Thomas Smith, who played the doctor, Frederick Treves. Smith portrayed him as both caring and controlling, allowing you to root for him, before realising he is not far removed from Luke Knight’s Master Bytes. Smith’s nuanced performance added a welcome complexity to the story, showing that even well-meaning characters can have flaws.
A stand-out performance came from Tabitha Floydd as Maria Treves. In Malvolio’s Corner’s first show, Floydd had a strong performance, however she truly shone in this play. Despite the piece focusing on the relationship between Merrick and Treves, Floydd commanded the room with her presence.
Tabitha Floyd and Thomas Smith
Everyone involved crafted a truly wonderful experience.
The Elephant Man was the second production staged by Malvolio’s Corner, following The Picture of Dorian Gray last November. Having only formed in late 2025, they are certainly a company to keep an eye on, especially for theatre-lovers on a budget. Their ambition, creativity, and attention to detail suggest they are capable of even more striking work in the future.
