The
play is self-described in the following way:
“When John and his boyfriend take a break, the last thing he expects is to suddenly meet the woman of his dreams. Now he has a big choice to make. Don't miss the American premiere of COCK, the gripping new play by Mike Bartlett. James Macdonald (Top Girls, Dying City) directs this Olivier Award-winning production from The Royal Court Theatre”
It is
an interesting premise and it explores not just sexuality, but what the impact
is on those you are involved with. Cory Michael Smith does a stupendous job as
“John”, the young man at the center of this story. John is a charming
mess of a person, unable to commit to anything, even being bi-sexual. The
story starts with John’s gay relationship. The couple seems reasonably
well adjusted, with cute, sit-com mannerisms that usually demark “quirky” rather
than a flawed relationship. But John does find it flawed, and the
relationship ends. When it picks up again, John admits to having sex with a
woman.
 |
| Jason Butler Harner, Amanda Quaid & Cory Michael Smith in Cock |
The
action then transfers to the relationship between John and the woman. How
they meet, how they have sex, and what comes next.
John’s
lovers are played by Jason Butler Harner, the Man and Amanda Quaid, the
Woman. Mr. Harner plays the Man as a very together gay man, quick witted,
funny and self-assured. All of that is proven to be false bravado when
John returns, after being with a woman. Anger and self-doubt begin to
drive him after John’s transgressions. As for Amanda Quaid, she is very
good, while stuck with a difficult role. Wanting to change a gay man is a
common theme, but what happens when you get one – and he is still gay.
The
fourth cast member is Cotter Smith - who plays the role excellently, but I
don’t want to spill too much of the story – so you have to take my word for it.
James
MacDonald stages this intimate play in a exceedingly intimate venue. The
Duke has been transformed into a steeply stepped theater in the round.
The audience watches Cock as one would watch an actual cockfight; when you look
away from the action for a moment, you are facing other theatergoers in a
voyeuristic experience. It serves the playwright, Mike Bartlett’s, words
wonderfully.
Cock is
in for a limited run at The Duke, do not miss it.
------
 |
| Jason Butler Harner & Cory Michael Smith |
Cock @
The Duke Theater
Playwright:
Mike Bartlett
Director:
James Macdonald
Cast: Jason Butler Harner, Amanda Quaid, Cory Michael Smith, Cotter Smith
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