 It was known internationally as South Africa's "Theatre of the Struggle" and challenged the apartheid regime.Cock and Bull Story marked the beginning of Bartlett's professional career in 1986 where he played the role of a gay boxer and won a Vita Award for Most Promising Actor.A year later Bartlett starred in the satire play "East" in 1987 and won the [[Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards|Fleur du Cap Theatre Award] for Best Actor.