A few weeks back, I watched a production of Red Turnip Theater’s Cock, the new theater company’s second offering after Closer. I interviewed director Rem Zamora for The Philippine Star, and I worked out a media partnership between the company and When In Manila. So I was super excited to catch the show because it sounds really interesting.
Cock‘s story revolves around the single question: What happens when a young gay man falls in love with a woman?
That’s what happens in Mike Bartlett’s sold-out hit. It premiered in 2009 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theater. In 2011, it had its off-Broadway run.
Topper Fabregas as John
Niccolo Manahan as M
Jenny Jamora as W
Audie Gemora as the surprise guest
The play revolves around John, a gay man whose relationship with M derails when he sleeps with and falls in love with a woman, W. Things take a tense turn when the three meet for dinner and “duke it out” in the “ultimate bitch fight.” And when an unexpected guest shows up, the show gets even crazier. Cock explores not just sexual identity, but identity itself, asking not just what John is, but who he is.
The cast of Cock
The New York Times has called Cock “a terrific, tense little comedy,” while The Huffington Post calls it “a terrific contemporary play that puts much of other theater to shame.” The local production is led by Topper Fabregas as John, Niccolo Manahan as M, Jenny Jamora as W, and Audie Gemora as the unexpected guest.
The cast of Cock
What makes Cock an interesting watch is the lack of props, scenery, and furniture. What the viewers get is a round “stage,” arranged like a cockpit. After all, what we are witnessing is an actual cockfight between M and W for John. And what a funny, tense, and intelligent cockfight it is.
Red Turnip is a new theater company composed of five friends with over 50 years in the industry between them. They are swiftly becoming known for contemporary straight plays, modern stories with an experiential angle, and challenging material. So far, the group, composed of Jamora, Zamora, Fabregas, Cris Villonco, and Ana Abad Santos, is successful.
This weekend is Cock’s last few shows, and I highly encourage you all to watch it. It’s quite the experience, and makes you think about identity and gender roles. Here is my interview with Rem Zamora, and here is my feature on When In Manila.
Make sure to catch the last show on Sunday because they’ll have their final blast off with food, drinks, and an invite to the cast party.