By: Sam Affoumado
Cock is the provocative title of Mike Bartlett’s Olivier Award-winning new play making its American premiere at the Duke on West 42nd Street. The Royal Court Theatre’s production, directed by James Macdonald, is playing here with an American cast. Upon entering the theater you are led to a spherical, plywood coliseum-like structure where bench seating (with cushion) awaits. This is theater-in-the-round (cockfighting style) where the audience members are spectators to four actors doing battle in a brightly lit center arena without the accoutrements of scenery, props or costume changes. The play itself is actually quite conventional, aside from the unique gladiatorial ambience, designed by Miriam Buether, and the ritualized staging by Mr. Macdonald.
The story explores how the mutability and constraints of one’s sexual identity can be brutally exposed and questioned during the course of a love triangle; in this instance, a bisexual one where the underlying theme is the paralyzing indecision fostered by not knowing one’s self. This is the plight of the protagonist, John (Cory Michael Smith) who is in a petulant relationship with M (Jason Butler Harner) with whom he has been living for quite some time. John meets W (Amanda Quaid) and after they become intimate, John’s self-identification begins to erode as he finds himself becoming emotionally and physically attracted to her. They even talk of starting a family.
Despite his feelings for W, John is still strongly attached to his boyfriend, M
and is compelled to tell him about his newly discovered heterosexual feelings. In an attempt to ease the blow, John tells M that his new lover is a very masculine woman but his lie backfires when M and W actually come face-to-face. John, utterly confused and unable to decide which one he prefers, strings both along, promising each he will be with them for the long haul.
M makes preparation for a dinner party where the three of them and M’s
father, F (Cotter Smith) will come together to hear John’s choice of a companion, but making decisions is not John’s strength and the evening is a disaster. Although M’s father is there to offer moral support, he stirs up already choppy waters.
The entire cast in James Macdonald’s beautifully rendered production is impressive. Cory Michael Smith is both engaging and infuriating as the vacillating hero. Jason Butler Harner is a standout as the delightfully kitschy and bitchy boyfriend. He is most appealing when he shows us his vulnerable side. Amanda Quaid is sympathetic and gives a solid performance as the girlfriend, trying to forge a future with John and Cotter Smith is convincing as M’s blusteringly protective father.
Director James Macdonald stages the sexiest imaginable scene, when fully
clothed Amanda Quaid and Cory Michael Smith slowly circle each other, getting closer and closer but never really touching. You can feel the sexual tension in every pore of their body. Other stylized images are, likewise, effective. However, not all of the scenes are visually interesting because, often, the characters seem to meander within the confines of their circular playing area with no apparent motivation other than to let the audience see them from all angles.
Cock is interesting and worthwhile, but not altogether a satisfying theater
experience. Though the plot is minimal, the drama emerges from the power
struggle between M and W to win John over. Unfortunately, the character of
John is not fully developed making it difficult to care about him. We sympathize with his dilemma but, ultimately, he is as ambiguous to the audience as he is to the other characters.
Presented by Stuart Thompson, Jean Doumanian, Royal Court Theatre,
William Berlind, Scott Delman, Dena Hammerstein, Jon B. Platt, Scott
Rudin, Ted Snowdon, and True Love Productions at the Duke on 42nd
Street, 229 W. 42nd St., NYC.
Opened May 17 for an open run.
Tue–Sat 8pm Sat 2 pm Sun 3 and 7pm (646) 223-3010
or online at www.Dukeon42.org.
Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission. Photographs: Joan Marcus
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