‘Cock’: Title of West End Play Censored by London Underground, Producer ‘Absolutely Astounded’ by Rules (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Taron Egerton and “Bridgerton’s” Jonathan Bailey.The pair were starring together in West End play “Cock” but the show’s actual title has been censored in Tube advertisements by governing org Transport for London (TFL), Variety can reveal.Posters for the play (pictured) that have been widely advertised across TFL depict (a fully clothed) Bailey and Egerton — the latter actor withdrew from the play in early April citing personal reasons and was replaced by Joel Harper-Jackson — with their names boldly printed, along with the play’s venue and a snippet of a critic’s review that reads “A Seriously Hot Ticket!” However, there’s no other information indicating what exactly they’re starring in.

A TFL spokesperson told Variety: “All advertising running on across the [TFL] estate needs to comply with both our own advertising policy and the Advertising Standards Authority’s codes and rulings.

Following advice from the Committee of Advertising Practice, the campaign was amended to ensure it was compliant.”The spokesperson did not provide any further reasoning as to why the title was removed.

However, the decision has been slammed by “Cock” producer Chris Harper as outdated.“We were absolutely astounded that we could not use the word ‘Cock’ on the underground – it is 2022!” said Harper in a statement shared with Variety. “The word is perfectly acceptable and has many meanings.