A packed press night audience at the Ambassadors last night witnessed a theatrical marvel at this timely revival of Mike Bartlett’s moody and sexually charged, scintillating play.
I first saw it at Chichester back in 2018 and it was superb, and at the Ambassadors, Cock is simply sensational again with a splendid stellar cast led by Taron Egerton with Jonathan Bailey, Jade Anouka and Phil Daniels all rising to the occasion.
The 105 minutes running time just zips along and the sexual chemistry between Egerton and Bailey is beguiling and bewitching – with both Anouka and Daniels making their respective stage time also really count.
The phenomenal energy produced by this cast is electric and the range of human emotions that the troupe have to explore – especially Egerton – makes for goosebump moments of excellent theatre. Director Marianne Elliot is firmly at the helm and so this play cannot fail.
Cock is a well-rounded look at relationships, the drama that comes with them, the twists and turns and the use of a very stark and almost cold set added to the intensity of the play. Do opposites attract… who actually really knows? And if a relationship becomes too much like hard work, then perhaps they don’t.
The comedy elements of the Bartlett script are loaded with consequences and conditions and when loves raises its ugly head, Bartlett looks at the power of attraction and a battle of wits then exudes.
Egerton gives a complete pure tour de force, as does Bailey also – between them the charismatic character connection is complete. Anouka also comes into her own demonstrating what flattery and fascination can do and achieve. A woman’s wiles are put on show here to great and skilful effect.
The fluidity of the play is also enhanced through a very clever device of having the stage revolve; creating an element of ‘Are these characters just going around in circles’?
Enter Phil Daniels as the father and his down to earth stage presence is just perfect marrying completely the more flamboyant styles demanded by the other three actors interpretations of their respective roles.
The whole show is wrapped up beautifully; this performance of Cock is explosive and British theatre at its best.
A must see this Spring season.
Photos by Brinkhoff Moegenburg
*****
Cock runs to Saturday 4th June at the Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London WC2H 9ND. Box office: 0333 009 6690 www.atgtickets.com/shows/cock/ambassadors-theatre/
www.cocktheplay.co.uk
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