Trav, an up-and-coming boxer on the verge of the big time, prepares for battle in the fight that could make his life-long dreams a reality. Jackie, his friend and coach, psyches him into fitness with grand illusions of a world of endless bodily pleasures and material spoils.

Trav’s zealous drive for power and glory leads to questionable conduct in the boxing ring. Although Jackie has little regard for the rules of the game, and is only concerned with winning, he is faced with a serious blow to his conscience: How far is too far?

The story delves into the themes of male friendship, homosexuality, masculinity, dreams and ambitions, the fight for survival and keeping the male ego in check. It is gritty and fierce, and the characters are challenged psychologically and physically, making for an exciting, emotional and gripping journey of discovery.

What is the prize for being a real man? The production is originally written, directed and performed by Richard Zajdlic and Richard Crowe in 1985, the production toured in and outside London, and had its first performance at the Palza theatre, Romsey on April 25th 1985.

This staging has been reworked by the cast and director to suit a South African context.

Creative Team and bios:

Rowan Studti has studied abroad at the New York film Academy and at the Actors’ Centre in San Francisco in 2008. Thereafter he enrolled at ACT Cape Town to be coached by the likes of Grant Swanby and Nicola Hanekom, and graduated with a BA in Drama, Film and Screenwriting from the University of Cape Town.  His most notable and recent work includes, “An Absolute Turkey”, directed by Chris Weare and “The Beauty of Incomplete Things”, written and directed by Daniel Dercksen.   He has also acted in a number of international and local film/television productions.

“Cock & Bull Story” is Rowan’s debut in the role of producer, the start of many productions that he hopes to produce independently. 

Michael Kirch: UCT graduate with a Master’s Degree in Directing for Stage. Over the years I’ve tried my hand at stand-up comedy, improvised theatre, acting for stage as well as film and television. I have spent some time with a few stand-up comics directing their one-man shows. More recently was nominated for Fleur du Cap award (2012) for Best New Director for Brent Palmer’s Bench which ran at various venues around Cape Town.

I also work as a freelance assistant casting director, directing and filming candidates’ audition tapes for film and television commercials.

Dylan Skews is an actor and stand-up comedian, he has a BA in live performance from the South African School Of Motion Picture And Live Performance (AFDA) where he won best actor 2008.

 Since then he has featured in numerous international and local feature films, series and documentaries including, Death Race, Dominion, Mankind, Kidnap and Randsom, The Runaway, Amerca: the story of us and Gettysburg but to date his most memorable role is when he played a boisterous and charismatic drunk pirate called Logan in the Michael Bay series Black sails featuring in season 1 episodes 1-8, as well as season 2 episodes 1-7.

 He is also one of South Africa's fastest rising comedians, he has been doing comedy for 5 years and has won the Nandos Comedy Showdown in 2009 and was the winner of Phat Joe's comedy show in 2010 where he won the title "Cape Town's next comedian". He has performed in numerous theatres around Joburg as well Cape Town including the Baxter theatre and Artscape. He recently finished his one man show "SKEWS ME" which ran for two weeks. He wrote, directed and performed it at on Broadway, to rave reviews and a packed house.

Media & Reviews

Press Release

Review of Cock & Bull Story by Daniel Dercksen

Audience Responses

Fantastic Production brilliantly translated in to a South African context.

Excellent production and great performances from the players. An enjoyable evening of theatre!

Really loved this, great performances, clever direction, would absolutely recommend.

I enjoyed the performances in Cock and Bull, particularly that of Rowan Studti, and thought it well directed. I thought the script was interesting, but failed to live up to its promise. I kept on feeling that it did not really go anywhere, repeated the same information. We pretty soon got the picture that there were homo-erotic undertones between the two friends, and that Jacko's hypersensitivity to the possibility that other men are giving him the eye showed his unresolved sexuality. Equally that Travis' significant relationship was with Jacko, despite his protestations about girls. But once this was established, it the script seemed to repeat the same ground. On a directing note, the "clinch" at the end was not sustained for long enough to make us feel that Jacko could have felt Travis' erection. Nevertheless an enjoyable performance.

Very amateur in execution. Director fails to understand the basics of good story telling. No structure to the drama and a naive interpretation given the date of the play. Should it be done as a period piece given how much has changed in the world with regard to class as well as class and homosexuality/ If not the aggression underlying the conflict needs imaginative and contemporary thinking, interpretation. Staging non existent! Actors were trying hard in a mess. To be honest an embarrassment in this fine venue. Just an opinion!

Terrific!! Forecful acting on an interesting subject!! Loved it!

Great show, great energy and lots to think about.

Excellent show. Thought the performances from both actors were very strong and believable.