John and his partner appear as glowy, blurry, distanced figures at the beginning of the play; Credit: Otilia Dragan/Chronicle.lu

Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to attend the play Cock at the Théâtre des Capucins on the opening evening, on Tuesday 14 May 2024.

This is a story about John, a man who decides it is time to go on a break with his long-term boyfriend. Something nondescript seemed “off” about their relationship. When he talks to a woman on the tube who recognised him from his morning commute, he realises there is something there that could become "more". An unexpected sexual relationship with her gets him confused when he realises he still has feelings for his boyfriend and tries to go back to him. Yet, he is clearly in love with her, as well.

This is an odyssey through two stories unfolding: an established romance, bickering but built on trust and undeniable attraction versus a novel, passionate, “spot-on” connection with much potential for a hopeful future (albeit with a person of the opposite sex and gender). There are empty promises, broken trust and difficult choices to make.

Each character is relatable in their own way, while having their distinct agenda: everyone in the play seems to know exactly what they think and want, and are quick to label themselves and others. Even John, in his own way knows he feels and wants it all but is not allowed to have it in this scenario. Confusion ensues; his journey of self-discovery is met from all sides with the conviction that he is "confused" and not "normal". John is told "you need to work out what you are” and he needs to make a decision.

Although he explains that love and attraction for him are not just about someone's gender and looks but about who they are as a person and what they do, another character throws the question of whether he is "pansexual" at him, which he quickly pushes away. However, pansexual (or "bisexual", another clarifying word that doesn't seem to exist in the play's universe) is exactly the term at the core of this play. The clear fact of fluidity and the possibility for attraction to multiple genders, sometimes confusingly at the same time, pushes the boundaries of the binary gay/straight and yet, ironically, never fully finds its place in the play. John's choice, it seems, will go on to define the rest of his life and his sexuality.

The stage is bare but original as the play on stark lights and the use of costumes and character positioning tell a story and nevertheless draw the audience in. It is darkly comedic, fast-paced yet stalling, full of thought-provoking contradictions.

Additional performances of Cock are taking place at the Théâtre des Capucins in Luxembourg-Ville on Wednesday 15, Friday 17, Tuesday 21 (followed by a Q&A), Wednesday 22, Thursday 23 and Friday 24 May 2024 at 20:00.

Further information and tickets are available at: https://theatres.lu/fr/cock.