The Cock

[edjames]

Boy! I bet that title woke a few folks up! LOL

No, this isn't a production based on the infamous east village bar, but it is a gay story of sorts.

Staged at the Duke Theater on 42nd St, this award winning Royal Court production from London deals with the topic of bisexuality and its affect on relationships.

When John takes a break from his boyfriend, he accidentally meets the girl of his dreams. Filled with guilt and indecision, he decides there is only one way to straighten this out.

Mike Bartlett’s story takes a playful, candid look at one man’s sexuality and the difficulties that arise when you realise you have a choice. His previous plays include Contractions, My Child (Royal Court) and Artefacts.

 

I won't go on with the show's storyline other than say this is a riveting production with terrific performances from a cast of 3 and be warned, no latecomers will be seated! A straight 90 minutes, no intermission.

The theater has been rebuilt in a plywood arena seating, that is, quite honestly, very uncomfortable. Everyone sits on thin pillows/mats on a wooden tier. Beware your back as the person behind you can give you a good swift kick. The top rows (there are only 5 tiers) are not for the handicapped or those having difficulty climbing. (Watch it, Lucky! LOL)

Despite this uncomfortable seating arrangement (I think it was meant to emulate an actual cock fight arena) the audience is close up with the actors and there is no set or stage. Seats are available on discounts.

 

ED

 

 

http://www.cockfightplay.com/

[+ Lucky]

Ed, that is an interesting title. Thanks for the review and the cautionary advice. I should have seen this instead of the,over I did see this afternoon.

[uwsman2]

NY Times Arts & Leisure section for this weekend has a big article about this show... but, in keeping with Times standards, they omit the title!!

[edjames]

The reviews are in and they are very good...

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/sexual_dilemma_in_the_round_vUW30FBIWu4WFavOjuG7sM

 

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/theater/reviews/cockfight-play-directed-by-james-macdonald-at-the-duke.html?hpw

 

I now see that for advertising purposes the play is referred to as The Cockfight Play....

 

ED

[+ WilliamM]

Cock's Amanda Quaid

 

I saw Cock on May 13, and am very pleased by the good reviews. I cared a lot about John (Cory Michael Smith) and W (Amanda Quaid), to my surprise, less about John's long-time boy friend, M (Jason Butler Harner). Since then, I have thought a lot about why John was attracted to M--beyond the obvious interest in something different. I am not sure there's a answer, but the relationship was not a total surprise because Amanda Quaid is so winning.