With a title centred on the penis, Cock sounds like the ultimate gay play. True, it has a gay theme, but the unconventional plot sees a gay guy turn straight!
First premiering at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 2009, Cock went on to Broadway and has played in many countries since. Written by Mike Bartlett (Scandaltown), the play has not been without its controversies, receiving a ban in Cyprus and during its 2022 West End revival, posters in the London Underground had the title censored. But any publicity is good publicity and the show itself had proved so popular, that its final days in London saw tickets selling for $600.
Andrew Lindqvist, Stephen Schofield and Grace Stamnas in Cock
Having played Adelaide in 2022, director Darrin Redgate took a somewhat conservative approach, but for the upcoming Sydney production, there’ll be no glossing over.
“In Sydney, we won’t be holding back,” says Redgate.
“It’s a wart and all production. There’s an event that happened in late 2022 that altered my focus on this play’s story, and I want to honour that. Most people would remember Kit Connor from Heartstopper and the situation forcing him to come out. He had to declare his sexuality well before he was comfortable in doing so. The media, public and many in the queer community were obsessed about Kit’s sexuality when he was seen in London walking arm in arm with an attractive female. Our lead character John is in a similar position.”
“Kit Connor had to declare his sexuality well before he was comfortable.” – Darrin Redgate
While The Village Voice once said the play “pits boy against girl and cock against cunt”, the Guardian noted it had an “uncomfortable subtext of misogyny”. Nonetheless, Cock won the 2010 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.
“In the past, Cock was concerned with the character’s indecision and refusal to label his sexuality as having a negative impact on those around him,” says Redgate.
Stephen Schofield plays John in Cock
“I wanted to look at the effect these demands put on the character and where it may lead. Cock is about identity, both personal and sexual.”
Past international productions of Cock have drawn big names such as Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal), Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers), Jonathan Bailey (Fellow Travelers), Cory Michael Smith (Gotham) and Jason Butler Harner (Ozark).
In the role of John, Stephen Schofield reprises his role from the Adelaide production.
It’s guy meets guy, then guy meets girl in this unique queer play, without a cock in sight!
“Bartlett’s script delivers an extremely fun challenge with the way it’s written,” says Schofield.
Andrew Lindqvist plays ‘M’ in Cock
“Not only does it demand no scenery, props, furniture, or mime, but it’s also structured with multiple staggered time jumps. I need to pay attention to the time jumps to make sure the character’s emotional trajectory is where it should be.
“John is also a character whose world is turned upside down,” says Schofield.
“Everything he once believed in gets thrown into question. He’s in a constant state of turmoil caused by pressure on all fronts to make a decision. I find society has an obsessive pressure with the need to fit people with labels and John has some moments in the final act where we learn he’s been battling these issues for a long time. I think the play portrays this pressure and the effects it can have on someone”.
“Cock is about identity, both personal and sexual.” – Darrin Redgate
Rounding out the cast are Andrew Lindqvist as the boyfriend ‘M’ Grace Stamnas, the girlfriend ‘W’ and Richard Cotter as M’s father ‘F’.
“Cock is both hilariously funny and damn sexy,” says Redgate.
“I want audiences to be in those moments and to enjoy the rawness of it, but on a deeper level I also hope people will discuss and think about the deeper messages.”
Cock plays at Sydney’s Flightpath Theatre Marrickville from 8 May
For more visit: flightpaththeatre.org
