Cock is a bold, eyebrow-raising and expectation-generating title but rest assured, Silo Theatre's latest play is not what you'd expect. Director Shane Bosher's version of the Olivier award-winner by British playwright Mike Bartlett is a simple, understated and tense comedy.
After seven years, John, the hapless and sad-faced protagonist, decides he is tired of his boyfriend constantly judging him. So he dumps him then, in the throes of the post-break-up post-mortem, meets and sleeps with a woman for the first time.
The experience goes well but then John decides he wants to get back with his ex and drama ensues.
His conflict about who he is loves - and therefore who he is - lies at the heart of the play. Yet, despite a committed performance from Australian actor Duncan Ragg, who sinks effortlessly into the character, it is difficult to sympathise with John. He is an enigmatic protagonist; we know nothing about him, a complete blank canvas from his backstory to interests to his views on himself.
It's an effective way of highlighting the character's internal and external conflicts but also paints him as flippant and narcissistic. There is just not enough information to make you care for him and his indecisiveness only makes you pity his lovers more.
