BWW Preview: The British Comedy COCK Opening at the Unicorn Theatre

Jeff Church directs Cock opening April 25 on the stage of the Jerome Stage in the Unicorn Theatre at 3828 Main in Kansas City, Mo. Mike Bartlett, playwright of An Intervention, Chariots of Fire, and Earthquakes in London, wrote the British comedy about identity and sexuality. Due to adult subject matter and language, c*ckis suggested for mature audiences.

Bartlett's play premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2009, winning the Laurence Oliver Award for Outstanding Achievement in An Affiliate Theatre in 2010. Cock is the story of John, who encounters the woman of his dream as he is taking a break from his boyfriend. At a dinner party, the guests attempt to figure out who and what John is. How will he decide the best way to straighten him out? Performed without props or a set the focus is all on the drama of the situation.

"It's a feisty, hypnotic, and oddly energizing exercise in emotional carnage," said Ben Brantley of the New York Times. "Uproariously funny . . . Cock is a rite of spring you shouldn't miss!" says Scott Brown of New York Magazine. "Exhilarating! Robust and rollicking. Mike Bartlett's dialogue crackles and pops with the rhetoric of vituperation" wrote John Lahr of The New Yorker. Marilyn Stasio of Variety noted, "With the precious exception of literati like Oscar Wilde and his beloved Bosie, quarreling lovers are never as articulate and entertaining as they are in Cock."

Jacob Aaron Cullum returns to the Unicorn Theatre in the role of John. He previously appeared at the Unicorn in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Zachary Andrews makes his debut at the Unicorn as M. He has appeared with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre and The Coterie among others. Molly Denninghoff makes her debut as W. She has appeared with Spinning Tree Theatre, KC Rep, and Musical Theater Heritage. Matthew Rapport returns to the Unicorn as F. He first appeared at the Unicorn in 1995 in Arms and Legs.

Performances run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. If you are unable to afford a ticket, you may Pay What U Can at performances on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, because art is for everyone. Talk back performances, where patrons are encouraged to stay after the show and discuss the play with the actors and director, are scheduled for April 28, May 3 and 5th.

Tickets for Cock are now on sale. Call 816-531-PLAY (7529) EXT. 10, go online at the Unicorn Theatre website, or buy in person at the box office located at 3828 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111. Special discounts are available for seniors (65+), students, and patrons under age 30. Photo courtesy of the Unicorn Theatre.

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