tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481691725314537521.post3903660487824120826..comments2023-09-20T14:34:21.102+02:00Comments on Postcards from the Gods: Cock - Royal CourtAndrew Haydonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05568061302451610140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481691725314537521.post-55064613477444487782009-12-08T03:11:02.872+01:002009-12-08T03:11:02.872+01:00Here's something I never thought I'd say: ...Here's something I never thought I'd say: Quentin Letts got it spot on. The arena: cockfighting. Although I know of at least one other reviewer who mentioned it in draft, Quentin was the only one to make explicit mention in print of a dimension to the title other than just schlong-related, snigger-inducing candour. Which, in turn, not just clarifies but justifies the chimes between scenes/bouts etc. And so the sexuality, or the identity, becomes merely the prize: what it's <i>about</i> is the contention, the brute power, as the other three contend to fill the vacuum left by John's refusal or inability to demarcate his own autonomy.Ian Shuttleworthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481691725314537521.post-11444539298669697812009-11-27T18:30:15.447+01:002009-11-27T18:30:15.447+01:00Twas a pity there was no interval, Bladder bustin...Twas a pity there was no interval, Bladder busting 90 minutes in one go, I was almost doubled in pain by the end. I didn't need the transference of John and his pain I had pain in the same place with no external effort.<br />As I was with a bunch of doctors and have been to the anatomy theatre in Guys hospital it was very redolent of the same kind of atmosphere, If they had made the place any smaller they would have captured it exactly, Very intense emotions At one point you could have cut the air with a knife.<br /><br />You're not manly He said you were manly tall with big hands thats what he said.Henry North London 2.0https://www.blogger.com/profile/14748991488145468593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481691725314537521.post-61944661621497142172009-11-24T05:14:38.904+01:002009-11-24T05:14:38.904+01:00Like the play, a very intriguing piece Andrew. How...Like the play, a very intriguing piece Andrew. However, i agree with M. I don't believe it was about his sexuality. For me, it was about MESS. The inevitable carnage which leaves its ugly trace the moment one has to choose. Perhaps rather perversely the only character who annoyed me by the end was M and his relentless matronesque bid for John to bring in the cushions. It was so unbearably stifling i had to look away as i imagined how John's chosen life with such a neurotic might pan out. A beautiful production.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481691725314537521.post-13762643871250158452009-11-24T01:06:14.351+01:002009-11-24T01:06:14.351+01:00I don't know, I didn't really feel it was ...I don't know, I didn't really feel it was about his sexuality, it was about choice and identity. He couldn't make one, not at all. It was M and W who made a choice in choosing to hold out for him, but in doing so made it even harder for him to make the decision. He annoyed everyone by the end!Miriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08728333840267365007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481691725314537521.post-68454183258605736482009-11-23T17:49:28.930+01:002009-11-23T17:49:28.930+01:00Spot on, Andrew. The only thing I would take issue...Spot on, Andrew. The only thing I would take issue with is the idea that Bartlett is 'just' trying to tell a story that interests him etc. I felt the play was very much an exercise and that the characters were quite clearly positioned to play out an argument about our (too) rigid definitions of sexuality. The Father particularly. I struggled to feel engaged emotionally and I do put that down to the self conscious levels of distancing going on in the play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com