Revolt as the male privates go on parade

A rude one-man show has caused outrage and controversy.

The Talking Cock comedy show features content about men's genitalia.

Publicity for the event shows the man behind the performance, comedian Richard Herring, naked except for a fig leaf over the offending parts.

The show is being staged at the Arts Centre, Lord Street, Southport, and has caused one regular at the venue to threaten the removal of her name from the mailing list.

Another was so enraged by the poster that she tore out the advertising page in the Arts Centre's current brochure and sent it back describing it as "very tasteless, ugly and unnecessary".

John Sprackland, marketing manager for the Arts Centre, said: "Richard Herring's one man show is a humorous but intelligent exploration of male sexuality, in particular men's attitudes and feelings about their penises.

"There, I've said it and I haven't been struck by a thunderbolt yet."

The show is a response to the successful West End production the Vagina Monologues which has been staged world-wide.

John said: "The picture in the brochure is obviously designed to be eye-catching in a cheeky way but there's nothing lewd or offensive about it to my way of thinking.

"I think it would probably not be suitable for children but, saying that, it would be entertaining for some and I would have brought my son to it who is 14-years-old."

The show is not the first to cause outrage in the area. The Morecambe Comedy Festival also caused controversy after a performance called Puppetry Of The Penis. The Australian show featured a naked man creating "amusing" shapes with his genitals.

Richard Herring has also brought out a book called Talking Cock, and has appeared in the West End in London with the show.

Talking Cock will be at the Southport Arts Centre on Saturday at 8pm.

Tickets are £12 and £10 concession and are available from the box office on 01704 540011.

27 January 2004