What happens
when a young gay man falls in love with a woman? That’s the central conceit
behind Red Turnip Theater’s second offering, COCK by Mike Bartlett. A sold-out
hit when it first premiered in London in 2009 and subsequently during its
off-Broadway run a year later, COCK revolves around a gay couple whose rocky
relationship derails when one of them sleeps (and falls in love) with a woman.
Debates over one’s sexual identity explode when all three decide to sit down
and “duke it out” over dinner. Hilarity ensues when another unexpected guest
turns up and loyalties are put to the test. As one character puts it, “It’s the
ultimate bitch fight”.
The New York Times calls COCK “a terrific, tense
little comedy” while The Huffington Post hails it as “a terrific contemporary
play that puts much of other theatre to shame”. This critical darling is the
perfect bookend to Red Turnip’s maiden season.
Fresh off the success of their critically-acclaimed
CLOSER last October at Whitespace, Red Turnip promises another unique, in your
face theatrical experience with COCK. The vision of five estab-lished actors
(Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora),
Red Turnip aims to engage theatergoers with the sort of material that seems to
be in short supply in the country—the straight play.