HAM & HIGH

(Hampstead & Highgate Express)

London 22 April 2005

Truly fascinating cock fight

PHALLACY

New End, Hampstead

By ALINE WAITES

What is the true value of art? In Carl Djerassi’s play, Viennese art historian Regina Leitner-Opfermann says “art is never necessary, simply indispensable.” She is giving an illuminated lecture on the bronze statue of a young boy—presumably from second century Rome. She is asked by a member of the audience whether the trace metals in its composition are proof of its antiquity. She snubs the questioner; she considers all science a bore. Beauty is more important than truth, she believes, but then she is in love, obsessed with the statue.

Rex Stolzfuss, a scientist, suspects the statue is most probably a Renaissance copy. He cares more about truth than beauty.

Regina calls Rex cocksure. Rex finds this a joke because none of her lectures, although they dwell intimately on the body of the sculpture, ever get round to a description of the penis. This is obviously the reason for the double entendre title of the play, but if it has any relevance to the plot, it has escaped me.

Each combatant has a young sidekick. These two are secretly having an affair and their conversations help to keep the plot rolling as more revelations emerge. But the true fascination of this piece is the battle that rages on between Rex and Regina—played with gusto by Karen Archer and Jack Klaff.

Until May 14