Bernard Pomerance | Noted playwright, 76

Bernard Pomerance, 76, who wrote the poignant Tony Award-winning drama

The Elephant Man

, died Aug. 26 at his home near Galisteo, N.M. His agent, Alan Brodie, confirmed the death. The cause was lung cancer.

The American-born playwright spent much of his career in London, where he wrote several plays. He found little success until The Elephant Man, which was first performed in London in 1977.

The play is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a 19th-century British man with a condition that produced large, unsightly growths on his head and body. He spent years on display in a freak show, enduring the ridicule and disgust of carnival-goers. Finally, he was taken to a hospital, where a doctor, Frederick Treves, cared for him and introduced him to polite society.

Mr. Pomerance's play focuses largely on Merrick, Treves, and an actress, Kendal, the only woman Merrick becomes close to.

The play won Tony Awards for best drama, best director (Jack Hofsiss), and best actress (Carole Shelley, who played Kendal).

In 1980, a film called The Elephant Man was produced. It was not based on the play, but Mr. Pomerance and his producers sued, claiming the duplicate title would confuse audiences and took advantage of the play's reputation. The lawsuit was settled out of court.

Survivors include two children; a brother; and two grandchildren. - Washington Post