Pretending Things are a Cock

See it if u think u'll be tickled by a PowerPoint presentation by an Aussie bro mugging & posing with various objects as an extension of his manhood.

Don't see it if you don't find frat-style dick jokes funny; you don't take the show title literally.

Also If I had not seen Jaqueline Novak's "Get On Your Knees" earlier in the day as part of a double-header (pun intended), I might (might!) have found this silly show a little more amusing. But Novak's contemplation on the cock was actually reflective and thought-provoking. While there is something (perhaps?) to admire about Bennet's ambitious presentation -- culled from photos and stories he experienced all over the world -- he has very little to say and his show remains pretty flaccid.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a one man show about a guy who takes pictures of things as his cock. His stories are truly great. The schtick got old real fast.

Don't see it if You want something more than pictures of things as a cock. Against, stories were great, but the idea got old pretty fast.

See it if you enjoy “cock jokes” and visual humor and charming storytelling about a novel theme and mission for a worldwide adventure

Don't see it if you don’t like one Millennial male narrative, or prefer tradition theatre with larger cast, set, audience, or resonant theme, or musicals

See it if You’re up for an hour+ lecture with travelogue slides of stand-in penis poses worldwide, almost salvaged by decent storytelling.

Don't see it if Not interested in lectures accompanied by juvenile slides or some very personal, at times harrowing stories of growing up in New Zealand.

Also There was a time when men — and it was only men, for the longest time — went out into the world seeking adventure and exploration and would come back to civilization and present their findings to interested groups via lectures, carrying with them glass slides, exotic specimens and esoteric bits of ephemera to illustrate their experiences. The Explorers Club, the high society ladies’ teas in their salons and even the Vaudeville circuit welcomed such talks, providing both income and notoriety to those enterprising individuals.

In our modern world, however, a random snapshot of Bennett with crotch-level bananas goes viral; and so to Instagram, website, book, merchandise and worldwide Fringe tours. It's a living, or at least travel expenses, but a pity he hasn't improved or developed his material or presentation in nine years of performance. A catharsis, no doubt, but he seems to be vamping; a deeper self-exam might result in a more substantial bit of theatre rather than thin standup.... Read more Read less

See it if You saw the title and thought, "Hmm, I think I would like this show." It very much lives up to its title.

Don't see it if You have a heavy dislike of phallic and scatalogical humor. Though I usually dislike those sorts of things and found this quite funny.

Also "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." -Sigmund Freud (apocryphal)

John Bennett would beg to differ. And then take a picture while very much pretending the cigar is, in fact, a penis.

Pretending Things Are a Cock is more like a very funny TEDx talk than a play. Complete with slideshow and inspirational music.

The show is funny throughout, but never amounts to very much. Which, you know, to be fair, I'd refer you to the title of show.

But as far as one-man shows go, it moves briskly and lives up to its premise. So I'd recommend it to anyone who reads the title and gets a giggle out of it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a storytelling solo show with cheeky humor.

Don't see it if You want to see solo show where the perform plays a character.

Also There’s funny bits, but I wish the show was more structured. The beginning is basically a ramble. The show does end with a great funny, sad story; I wanted more of that.... Read more Read less

See it if you're easily amused; intimate solo shows are your thing; supporting indie theatre is vital; you'd like to take a selfie with Jon Bennett

Don't see it if you think it's a "Main Stage" show -- because it's in the Huron Club (cellar bar), with no set but a flat screen + a mike; you like nuance

Also Since Jon Bennett's been doing his solo show for 9 years, you'd expect his narrative to be more polished, his jokes to be "more curated," and that (by now) he might have trimmed away the repetitiousness. But, no.

Unfortunately, his jokes, anecdotes, and back stories into his travelogue of photos are even less interesting than a rambling conversation overheard in a bar.

Ex: Jon's older brother Tim bullied him when they were youngsters in Australia and, since bullying & its after-effects can be devastating, the audience listens patiently, sympathetically, waiting for some personal insight to emerge. Yet there is none.

His 9-year-old monologue remains superficial. Only a few dick-pics are focused on, letting you in on what happened behind the camera: when he was in Machu Pichu touring with a Swedish stranger, when he lost a flip-flop & was forced to wear a too-large left sandal, etc.

His material is thin, rambling & poorly sculpted, alas.... Read more Read less

See it if You like solo shows based on real life events.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a solo show that is also a play.

Also Charming performer, but there’s not much depth to the show. Some funny moments.... Read more Read less

See it if You like pretending everything is a cock.

Don't see it if You are easily offended and don't like to hear the word cock repeatedly.