BWW Reviews: COCK Fight, Part 2 - Avenue Theater

This is part 2 in a two-part review of Cock, featuring both The Edge and Avenue Theater's concurring productions. For part 1, including a synopsis of the show, click here.

The Avenue's production, directed by Nick Sugar, features James O'Hagan Murphy as John, David Russell as M, Karen Slack as W and Jim Hunt as F.

The set, designed by Tina Anderson, takes a simple approach. With a round stage, the actors can easily circle one another between scenes, allowing for a clean shift.

At just over 90 minutes with no intermission, the dialogue is very fast-paced. This gets through the beginning scenes quickly, getting to the meatier scenes sooner, but you might end up missing some integral moments building the male characters' releationship. The British dialect might be to blame for this as well. However, the lack of intermission keeps you engaged until the very end.

O'Hagan Murphy gives an innocence to John. He permeates a likable curiousity. When he meets W, it's not love at first sight. Slack lends W a relatable awkwardness, which felt just right for the character. When she's vying for him, you want them to be together for her sake as much as his.

Russell plays M confidently. He's in control in the relationship, and he wants to keep it that way. Hunt's F (M's father) does well at being a compassionate parental figure, trying to lend his wisdom and acceptance but unable to see the full picture.

Cock plays through April 11 at the Avenue Theater (417 E. 17th Ave) in Denver's uptown neighborhood. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.avenuetheater.com or by calling (303)321-5925.

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So who wins? Ultimately, you do.

What's incredible is you're not seeing the same production rehashed twice. You're seeing opposing takes on each character. Some characters are played almost completely opposite, and it's fascinating to experience one actor's interpretation over another. Neither is wrong, both are strong.

Interestingly enough, in the Edge's production, I wanted M to have John...but at the Avenue's, I was rooting for W. Even the ending feels completely different at each production. In one, the music plays like a dark indie flick; the other, reminescent of an Old West shootout.

It's rare you get to see a couple professional theatre companies tackling the same show, especially one as brilliant and radical as Cock. You absolutely need to see both of these productions. Don't just choose one. The witty dialogue and clever banter is worth a second visit.

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