A man falls in love with a woman. No problem in that, right? Pretty normal. But when the guy had recently broken up with his long-time partner, and got back again with him – yes, HIM, things could really get complicated. Worse, when both won’t give him up without a fight.
COCK, by Mike Bartlett, revolved around that dilemma. John (Topper Fabregas) was out of his long time relationship with his controlling partner, M (Niccolo Manahan) when he met, sleeps with and eventually falls in love with W(Jenny Jamora). All three decided to meet one dinner, however M invited an unexpected guest- his dad, F.
Red Turnip Theater production of COCK proves that great acting is really what you need for a show. With their movements beautifully choreographed on the cockpit like stage, the four characters face off each in, as what one of them said, “the ultimate bitch fight.”
Fabregas epitomized the charming yet confused John. He encapsulated in the 90 minute play a man you would love for his affectionate nature but love to hate for his indecisiveness. Manahan, who portrayed a very controlling partner, never failed to deliver blow after blow in every line. Jamora brought to life the other woman with the right balance of desperation and strong will. And Gemora, who only entered the “arena” in last third of the play, still made his presence felt as the ever doting father to M.
The dynamics between the John and M, and John and W piques the interest as to how this complicated situation will unravel and where would this take each one of them. When their paths meet, the tension can really be felt. M still have a firm hold on John but W, despite the odds against her, is still hanging on.
More than just a tug-of-war with John as the prize, this play tells us more about John, who in a society the seemed to be obsessed with labels, tries to find himself through the relationships he made.
Cock is filled with quick dialogues and sharp comebacks. It is a refreshing break from the shows that rely on a eye catching set to create the scenes or to exude the over all feel of the production. In this production, everything is stripped down to focus on these four persons trying to discover more about their relationships, the connections they made, and who are they in John’s world.
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Cock will be staged at Whitespace — 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati — on March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4 (Friday, 9 p.m.); March 8, 15, 29 and April 5 (Saturday, 8 p.m.); April 5, Saturday at 4 p.m.; March 9, 16, 23 and April 6 (Sunday, 4 p.m.) and special closing gala on April 6, Sunday, 8 p.m.
Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph)
or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)
The Eclectic Miss 