Review: Mike Bartlett's Dark Comedy COCK Continues at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City

Mike Bartlett's dark comedy, Cock, continues on the Jerome Stage at The Unicorn Theatre through May 17. Jeff Church directs the Unicorn production with a title that may be a turn-on or turn-off, but one that definitely gets everyone's attention. Produced on the intimate Jerome stage the play utilizes no props, scenery, or specific costumes to give all the focus to the drama that takes place on the small stage.

This is yet another coming of age story. This one of a man who leaves his boyfriend and meets a woman, causing him to doubt his sexuality. Though billed as a British comedy or dark comedy it is rare that any humor turns up in the 90-minute presentation. It cumulates in a cockfight on a stage that is meant to remind you of a boxing ring and a bell that declares the end and beginnings of scenes. The actors are the boxers throwing left and right vocal jabs at each other, yet never landing a meaningful punch. Though marvelously produced by The Unicorn Theatre the play itself fails to hold the attention of the audience as several members sat reading the playbill or with their eyes closed.

The characters lack substance, John is confused about where his sexual desires lie and is too cowardly to make a decision or defend it. His boyfriend, M, has a sharp tongue, and gives the sense of a love-hate relationship, where one moment he loves John and then the next shows an indifference towards him. W the woman has little personality and there is not enough information given to like or dislike her, you merely wonder why she would want the sniveling cowardly character of John. F is M's father who attends the dinner party to persuade John to stay with his son. Only a few moments with him and it is evident where M gets his harsh tongue.

Jacob Aaron Cullum is superb in the starring role of John, the man who is tortured by the decision of whether to stay with M or start a new life with W. He has previously appeared at the Unicorn in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and has appeared with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre (KC Rep), The Coterie, and Musical Theater Heritage among others.

Zachary Andrews is powerful as the boyfriend M, making his debut at The Unicorn Theatre. His role is the only one where the character comes to life not just in his dialogue, but his actions and facial expressions. He has previously appeared at The Coterie and the KC Rep.

Molly Denninghoff makes her debut at The Unicorn as W, the woman who wants John to leave M and be with her. She gives an adequate performance, but does not bring enough to it to make the audience like or dislike her. Matthew Rapport is F, M's father who comes to the dinner party to sabotage any attempt W makes to stay with John. His performance is strong, quickly developing a character that was easy to like for his loyalty to his son and at the same time dislike for his vocal assault on W.

Cock continues at the Unicorn Theatre through May 17. Purchase tickets by calling the box office at 816-531-7529 extension 10 or online at the Unicorn Theatre website. Tuesday and Wednesday performances are Pay What U Can, because art is for everyone. Photo by Cynthia Levin courtesy of The Unicorn Theatre.

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