The Elephant Man, Joseph Merrick, whose appearance was probably a result of Neurofibromatosis
(Picture: PA)Thousands of people have signed a petition against a show which would see a replica of Joseph Merrick’s body dissected in front of an audience.
Merrick, nicknamed “The Elephant Man”, was a Leicester man who took part in “freak shows” in the 1880s. Merrick suffered from abnormal growth of his skin and bones.
Campaigners want to see a “Dinner and Dissection” event pulled as they say it creates a modern-day freak show and shames people with disabilities.
The petition, which now has over 10,000 signatures, was started by Karen Diamond whose 2-year-old daughter Willow has pik3ca-related overgrowth syndrome.
She wrote: “The thought of my daughter growing up and knowing that people dined and drank while enjoying watching that in a circus tent breaks my heart.
Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
“Disabilities should not be exploited for income. They should be welcomed in modern day society and awareness should be made in a positive and dignified manner. We are all for raising awareness but to do this in a circus tent while people eat and drink is utterly absolutely disgusting.”
Actor and presenter Adam Pearson has spoken out against the show, telling the BBC: “I think if Joseph Merrick knew that this event was happening, he’d be righteously angry and completely heartbroken.”
The event will be put on by Sam Piri, who previously appeared on Dragons’ Den. Tickets for the Victorian medicine themed event cost almost £100 and the website boasts “real dissections” of the head, brain, lungs, heart and GI tract.
Piri explained that all organs used during the show are from pigs. The organs are placed into silicone replica bodies to give people the “experience” that they are taking part in a human body dissection.
Piri has defended the event, saying: “I understand that people might find it distasteful and we’re not saying that that’s not a thing, but I don’t think that should be grounds for censoring a true story that happened in British history and teaching people about it from an academic perspective.”
People have also taken to Twitter to express their opinions on the event, with American Association of People with Disabilities President and CEO Maria Town calling the “dinner and dissection” a “heinous and deeply hurtful concept.”
This is a heinous and deeply hurtful concept for a show. Pull the plug on “Dinner and Dissection” ITAE Productions. Joseph Merrick deserves to be treated with dignity and respect as do all Disabled people. Push back. Sign the petition. https://t.co/I8YbLr8MxX
— Maria Town (@maria_m_town) October 4, 2021
Fancy dinner while watching the dissection of pig-offal simulacrum of Joseph Merrick? No, because you’re not a dismal pervert. This is an offence against Merrick and against the Victorians. It should not go ahead. https://t.co/cswE9A8nHn
— Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) October 3, 2021
This is one of the most appalling and tasteless things I've heard of - and I've heard of a lot of appalling and tasteless things.
— Hallie Rubenhold (@HallieRubenhold) October 3, 2021
Joseph Merrick was a man of enormous dignity and this is an insult. https://t.co/wJrS5aWTTL
Joseph Merrick is still being treated like a sideshow after 100 years. Sickening. https://t.co/mazu8lWfqU
— History-Is-A-Messy-Bitch (@historyfreako) October 4, 2021
This gross exploitation and objectification of disabled people, even beyond the grave, is revolting.
— sara huws (@sara_huws) October 3, 2021
Please take a look at this petition: stop the exploitation of people with disabilities in #DragonsDen "dinner and dissection" show https://t.co/IHtxXYNj4M via @UKChange
If you love dehumanising and exploiting the disabled you should watch #DinnerandDissection
— Hayley Morrison (@HayMoss) October 3, 2021
It looks like a hoot. Using a dead man’s story for profit. Genius.
I’d watch but I’m worried I’d put my foot through the screen.
Damn every person associated with this horrific dinner and dissection event. https://t.co/lxriz694jA
— G Peters patio ruiner ♿️ still a pandemic (@mssinenomine) October 4, 2021
Merrick’s skeleton has been preserved at the Royal London Hospital since his death in 1890.
His life has been depicted in several works, including a 1979 play and a 1980 film by Twin Peaks director David Lynch.
To sign the petition, visit change.org.
