Maybe it’s fitting that a play with a name suggesting a bloody, feathers-flying showdown is at the center of an unusual theatrical occurrence.
Earlier in the month, Brit playwright Mike Bartlett’s prickly comedy “Cock” had its regional premiere at Lakewood’s Edge Theatre. A week later, the Avenue Theatre opened its production. The first runs through April 5; the second through April 11.
Now the town has dueling shows with that in-your-face title. This is likely a source of frustration for two very fine and intimate theaters vying for audiences and review attention.
But it turns out this overlap is instructive for theatergoers willing to see the same — yet very different — show twice. (It’s fleet and vicious fun.) Or for those sure of their own tastes.
In Barlett’s four-person play, John must face a romantic choice: stay with his long-time mate (male) or begin life anew with an exciting love (female). If you’re wondering, John is the only character with a name.
Altough his lovers are older and seem wiser, more anchored in their lives, they’ve been tossed into the ring to face off by John’s indiscretions, his indecision, his passive-aggressive demands for them to help him decide their amorous fates.
John is indeed central to the drama — but he is in some ways the least interesting player and therefore the most infuriating. In both productions, audiences are likely to feel M and W deserve better and that they’d do well to dump John.
He’s well played as impossibly ambivalent (Hamlet has nothing on this guy) by Michael Bouchard in the Edge show. James O’Hagan Murphy presents a John that feels young, less formed, frisky.
What’s ingenious about Bartlett’s play and both productions is the way M and W (Edge) or Man and Woman (Avenue) must mirror each other in some deep fashion.
They finally meet at a ridiculous dinner at the home M and John share to hash things out once and for all. Each initially believes the dinner is intended to let the competition down easy.
Adding to the times-are-a-changin’ utterly believable absurdity of it all is the presence of M’s supportive dad, played as somewhat out of his depth by Jim Hunt (Avenue) and with thoughtful protectiveness by Chris Kendall (Edge). He really does have his son’s back. But in this age of the acceptance of GLBT children by their evolved and schooled parents, F arrives to talk sense to John to remind him what a true relationship he and M have forged.
If, like Frank Perdue, you prefer a more tender rooster, then Edge’s show — directed by Robert Kramer — might be more to your liking. The dance of seduction between John and M and John and W is choreographed with the tension of a tango. Only there’s no touching. If withholding has ever struck you as incendiary, this is your dance. Brian Landis Folkins and Rachel Bouchard bring heat but also hurt as the manipulated lovers and desperate competitors.
If you want the blood sport that comes when metal spurs are attached to gamecocks, director Nick Sugar’s razored take may be for you. David Russell is a fierce rooster of a man. Man is a broker, and this guy has that go-go, master-of-his-universe energy. Karen Slack’s Woman is a trickier portrait. She embodies clarity and doubt and edge.
Played for precision meanness, the Avenue’s comedy runs hard with no intermission. More emotion-laden, Edge’s production unexpectedly but aptly takes a pause.
Both shows prove strong, tense, bitterly amusing. Each boasts some of Denver’s finest actors drilling down into Bartlett’s seriously wicked writing. Each teases the title’s most ruffling points about power, sex, love — physical and symbolic.
So is this town big enough for two “Cocks”? What do you think?
Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567, lkennedy@denverpost.com or
“COCK”
Written by Mike Bartlett. Directed by Robert Kramer. Featuring Michael Bouchard, Brian Landis Folkins, Rachel Bouchard and Chris Kendall. * * * ½ Through April 5. 2 hours, 10 minutes. At the Edge Theater Company, 1560 Teller St. Lakewood. Tickets $16 March 23, otherwise $26 via or 303-232-0363
“COCK”
Directed by Nick Sugar. Featuring James O’Hagan Murphy, David Russel, Karen Slack and Jim Hunt. * * * Through April 11. 1 hour, 35 minutes. At Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave. Tickets $23.50-$26.50 via or 303-321-5925
