★★★★☆
Cock by Mike Bartlett returns, following its Manchester premiere last November, this time with a new cast, bringing a new energy. Will this new production hold up to the rave reviews of the past production at 53two?
John meets a woman and falls in love, despite having been in a relationship with a man for seven years. This sparks a life-shattering revelation about his identity and his entire understanding of himself. And what better way to confront this crisis than a dinner party featuring both lovers and the boyfriend’s dad?
John O’Neill returns as M, and he’s devilishly good: snide, catty, always ready to twist the knife. He has refined his performance to a T. In the first production, he burst onstage, rage dialled to 10; this time, the anger simmers and builds, making M’s betrayal feel more heartfelt, and the character more relatable. It’s no less biting, but more human.
Callum Ravden takes a lighter approach to John, lost in his own head, seemingly blind to the hurt he’s causing both his boyfriend and his lover. This adds a comedic zeal to the production, which pairs well with the retaliation from O’Neill and Hannah Ellis Ryan’s fiery portrayals of M and W.
Hannah Ellis Ryan plays “the other woman”, W, with a sharp coyness that casts a spell on John, full of feminine charm and repartee. She serves as a roadblock for John’s life trajectory, making him question his identity as a gay man. John falls for W quickly, and it’s easy to see why, with Ryan’s quick-witted playfulness running smoothly alongside her infatuation for John. Ryan effortlessly gets across W’s complexities; loving John and wanting a family with him, while feeling hurt and betrayed by his inability to choose her.
The dinner party brings a surprise guest: M’s father, F, played by Toby Hadoke of stand-up fame. His hearty comedic delivery lands every punchline, though sometimes clashes with the emotional tone of the play, creating a slight awkwardness that undercuts the drama at times.
It’s hard not to compare the runs having reviewed the November premiere, but even on a second viewing, Rupert Hill’s Cock is utterly captivating and just as fresh. Hill’s new production is potentially lighter and more digestible than the first, but takes Bartlett’s humour further. O’Neill and Ryan develop their characters brilliantly, while Ravden and Hadoke bring a new richness to the comedy of the piece.
COCK runs at Hope Mill Theatre until June 7.
Photo: Shay Rowan
JADAR 