What the Cock?
When I say "what the cock," I mean that in a very good way... in the fuckingly best possible way, actually.
The last time I went to Whitespace, around September from two years ago, it was for an art exhibit showcasing sex and gender-inspired pieces, particularly works that evoke and depict the lives of LGBTs. Yesterday, I went back to the same fuckingly immaculate-looking building to experience yet another sex and gender-related art. This time, the art takes the form of a theater play--Cock, and by Cock they mean like a cockfight.
There has been a rise, perhaps even a boom, in terms of LGBT awareness since the introduction of the hit and riveting "My Husband's Lover" which broke the heteronormativity of the mainstream entertainment media on certain fucking levels. It showed a different perspective on the dynamics of love and relationships between gay men.
I'd like to think that Cock, originally an award-winning play which made its theater debut at London back in 2009, was somehow lying on the same spectrum as "My Husband's Lover," playing with themes like identity and confusion. Putting it in 140 character Twitter-speak (or more), guy is in love with anther guy, they broke up, guy falls in love with a girl, guy eventually finds himself back with his guy, then his two lovers, the guy and the girl, fights for his love, no one giving up, like a cockfight (or the "ultimate bitch fight," as how one character puts it). Then he is left confused on who to choose. Much like the story of Vincent, Lally and Eric.
But don't get me wrong. Cock is not just another gay play. It goes beyond that usual and undying "identity" dilemma of closeted gay men, and even further than the predicaments of modern gay men. The question, "Who are you?" fuckingly resonates throughout the entire 90-minute play.
Another thing which makes Cock really fuckingly interesting is how the play is stripped off all the elements that usually make a theater play a public spectacle. Cock relied on the intimacy of the space and the compelling performances of the actors. Even the quietest parts scream magnitude of emotions. No wicked props. No grand interior. No picturesque scenery. Just a red cockpit. Just great lighting. Just snappy dialogues. Just a bare set (not even teddy bears).
And most of all...
Just fuckingly superb actors. Just pure wit and fuckingly good comedy.
But the thing that makes Cock really fuckingly brilliant is how it was able to successfully convey and stage sexually-charged acts without even baring skin. Not even an unbuttoning of polo. It relied on its sharp exchange of lines, complemented by the fuckingly clever use of lights and sounds. The mandatory sex scene in the play was probably the classiest and the most creative one I have ever seen, while still retaining the (more) erotic and (more) sensual atmosphere. It gives you so much room to play with your imagination without compromising the story and the desired imagery.
Overall, Cock is fuckingly worth watching. I'd fuckingly see it again for the second time if I have the fucking chance this week. The last 30 minutes of the play--the cockfight--would certainly leave your eyes fuckingly glued to even the tiniest actions and the shortest words uttered by the actors (although sometimes, it gets a bit frustrating because you can't see their faces, one of the common problems perhaps of a theater-in-the-round staging). How the story will end is also a fucking reason to go and see the play. Actually, up until now, my mind is still fucked up about it.
Cock is the second offering of the new theater company, the Red Turnip Theater. It's top billed by Topper Fabregas as John (the only character with a proper name, who ironically, is the most fuckingly indecisive one out of the four), Niccolo Manahan as M, Jenny Jamora as W and the great Audie Gemora as F. It will be showing until this weekend in Whitespace. Tickets available at Ticketworld.
I suggest you try and catch the play. Seriously, it will really make you go "What the Fuck!" or in this case, "What the Cock!"
P.S. If only theater plays weren't that expensive, I'll really make it a habit, just like what Cock director Rem Zamora said. But yeah, let's make theater a habit!
P.P.S. Pardon the repetitive use of the word "fuck." Kind of a fucking hangover from the fuckingly good play. Oops.
-Nilley Vanilli