The play COCK, a West End success, is coming to the Netherlands starring Daniel Cornelissen, Joy Delima, Sander Plukaard, and Peter Blok. Amsterdam-based fashion label MARTAN previously collaborated with Char Li Chung, the director of the play, for their SS’23 show during Amsterdam Fashion Week. For COCK, Diek Pothoven and Douwe de Boer designed minimalist outfits in powerful colours, entirely made from upcycled hotel linen.

“We wanted to create a special MARTAN world that remains credible for the characters at the same time. This creates an interesting tension. In the first part, we chose to let the audience get used to the image, and then gradually show more outspoken designs that lead to a climax in pure forms and powerful colours. Roos Veenkamp’s insane set is simultaneously the dream in which we would like to see all MARTAN collections. A perfect match.”

Diek Pothoven

After an intensive rehearsal period, the play premieres this Saturday, November 18, at Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen before touring the entire country. “During the first reading, we immediately had a vision. The text is so powerful and directly captures the imagination. There was nothing yet, only four actors at a table with a script. At that moment, it was already fantastic, and now everything has come together. We are really looking forward to the reactions,” said Diek Pothoven.

COCK

Nov 11 ’23 to Feb 3 ’24

Tickets: Oostpool.nl/cock

text Mike Bartlett

direction Char Li Chung

costumes MARTAN

photography Kurt van der Elst