The poster industry members of CAP operate a poster pre-vetting sanction to deter abuse of the medium and states: “If the ASA rules against a poster on the grounds of serious or widespread offense or social irresponsibility, the poster advertiser becomes a candidate for mandatory pre-vetting.” It appears that “Cock” was censored based on this pre-vetting, which resulted in an amendment that removed the play’s title completely. Writes Benedict: “The deft dialogue and subtext and the imagination of the audience do an exhilarating amount of work.” Notably, Benedict also points out in his review that the play’s “considerable power lies in thrillingly clear suggestion, not literal display.” There are sex scenes, yes, but ones in which the actors don’t touch one another or remove “a stitch of clothing.” When he finds himself falling for a woman, W (Jade Anouka), he begins questioning his identity and society’s adherence to labels such as “gay,” “bi” and “straight.” In Variety’s review, critic David Benedict called the play an “engrossing, visceral ride through desire and self-deceit.” Written by Mike Bartlett and produced by Elliot Harper, “Cock” centers on a gay protagonist, John (Bailey), who lives with his boyfriend, M (Egerton/Harper-Jackson). Yet even without explicitly sexual content, the play fell afoul of TFL standards. This isn’t the first time the org has censored a West End play. In 2015, TFL banned a poster for the play “Bad Jews” on the basis that it could potentially “cause widespread or serious offense.” The play’s producer, Danny Moar, said at the time that the creative team, including him, was predominantly Jewish and that the word “bad” in the title was simply in reference to being non-observant.īack in 2006, American comedian Reginald D.