COCK
COLAB Tower
★★★★
“a poignant and thought-provoking theatrical experience”
Cock by Mike Bartlett, presented by Talk is Free Theatre at COLAB Tower, invites audiences into an intimate, immersive space-in-the-round that immediately dissolves the barrier between performer and spectator. This staging choice is not merely aesthetic – it amplifies the emotional immediacy of the piece, drawing us directly into the volatile dynamics of a queer relationship between John (Aidan deSalaiz) and M (Michael Torontow). From the outset, there is an unmistakable tension between the two, underpinned by shifting power dynamics that feel as fragile as they are deeply rooted.
Bartlett’s script remains strikingly relevant, blending sharp comedy with moments of raw vulnerability. The dialogue is fast-paced and often circular, mirroring the emotional loops the characters find themselves trapped within. Questions of identity, sexuality, and emotional dependency are not presented with easy answers; instead, they unravel gradually, allowing the audience to sit with the discomfort and ambiguity.
Under the direction of Dylan Trowbridge, the production leans heavily into physicality and fluidity. The minimalist set is transformed seamlessly into multiple environments – a living room, a garden, a café – through subtle shifts in lighting and movement. These transitions feel organic rather than imposed, reinforcing the idea that the characters’ emotional landscapes are constantly in flux. One particularly striking moment uses shadow play to stage an intimate scene behind covers, creating a poetic visual metaphor for both concealment and exposure.
The narrative takes a pivotal turn with the introduction of W (Tess Benger), the woman with whom John unexpectedly falls in love. Her presence destabilizes the existing relationship and raises profound questions: What defines sexual identity? Can love exist outside rigid labels? And what does it mean to remain loyal – not just to a partner, but to oneself? Benger’s performance is luminous, balancing warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence. She brings a grounded humanity to the role, ensuring that W is never reduced to a mere catalyst for conflict but instead stands as a fully realized individual with her own desires and vulnerabilities.
We are also introduced to M’s father, played by Kevin Bundy, whose presence adds another layer of generational perspective. His scenes inject both humour and discomfort, subtly exposing societal expectations and ingrained notions of masculinity and partnership.
At its core, Cock is a meditation on love in all its complexity. It interrogates what it means to be “seen” by another person and the deep human longing for stability, recognition, and connection. Through its characters, the play explores contrasting desires: the wish for lifelong partnership versus the need for self-discovery; the comfort of certainty versus the allure of change.
The emotional push and pull that defines the play serves as a reminder that love is rarely simple. It can elevate us, making us feel invincible, yet it can also unravel us, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about who we are and what we want. Ultimately, Cock resists offering neat conclusions. Instead, it leaves us with lingering questions: Is love defined by feeling, by choice, or by action? And can we ever truly reconcile the different versions of ourselves that emerge over time?
This production captures those tensions beautifully, offering a poignant and thought-provoking theatrical experience that lingers long after the final moment.
COCK
COLAB Tower
Reviewed on 23rd April 2026
by Nasia Ntalla
Photography by Glimpses of Glitter
