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Taron Egerton jokingly compares Cock to Friends on The Graham Norton Show

"It's very Ross and Rachel"

By Alastair James

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Damon Baker at ADB Agency and BBC

The Rocketman actor, Taron Egerton, has drawn an interesting comparison between his upcoming play Cock and one of the most famous TV sitcoms of all time, FRIENDS.

The play which also stars Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey is set to debut in March and will be Taron’s West End debut. It also stars Jade Anouka and Phil Daniels. 

Speaking on The Graham Norton Show on Friday (4 February) Taron said it had been nine years since he was last on stage but that he’s “absolutely loving it”. 

“It’s very Ross and Rachel”

“It’s the story of a young gay couple [played by Taron and Jonathan] who have been together for a number of years,” Taron said explaining the premise. “They end up taking a break – it’s very Ross and Rachel,” he added gesturing at fellow guest Courtney Cox, who played Monica on FRIENDS while referring to the infamous storyline from the show

“One of them sleeps with somebody else and it transpires that that person is a woman. And what happens is they all try to get together and have a chat about it,” he went on to say. “It’s very, very funny and actually very moving,” he added.

Another of the actor’s projects – the animated film, Sing 2 – was mentioned with Taron laughing that there was quite a difference in topic and audience between the two. 

The former Attitude cover star also discussed his continuing relationship with Sir Elton John saying it’s still quite odd to get the occasional phone call from the ‘Rocketman’ singer. He also mentioned the drag name he was gifted from the music legend – Blodwyn Campervan – and that Sir Elton still signs off emails with the moniker.

Cock originally debuted in 2009 at Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, with Fleabag‘s Andrew Scott and James Bond’s Ben Whishaw cast in Bailey and Egerton’s roles.

The latest production is directed by Marianne Elliott, who previously directed former Attitude cover star Bailey in an award-winning 2018 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical Company.

Cock is at the London’s Ambassadors Theatre from Saturday 5 March – Saturday 4 June 2022. For tickets click here.

The Attitude February issue is out now. Get your copy here