BULL...not Sh:+ (Brits Off Broadway)

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/1/13 at 11:40pm

More to the point...damn good.

BULL of course being Mike Bartlett's new play (for New York anyway...), a part of BRITS OFF BROADWAY at 59e59. Not easy theater by anyone's imagination, and perhaps Bartlett isn't here as focused or cognizant of character development as he was in his brilliant COCK. Nevertheless, BULL is a ruthless and engaging piece of theater: a medley of one part social recision politics and another Darwinan theory.

The plot is quite basic: a three character team of professionals convene for a "redundancy meeting" with a tardy supervisor. What occurs before said boss' appearance is a series of insults, antagonizing digs, and verbal assaults to make the boldest of individuals weak in the knees. To give away more would be spoiler for those who see this aggressively satisfying play.

Though not novel for a Bartlett play, the set is a bare stage and blocked like a four-corner boxing ring with a water cooler being the only noticeable piece of scenery (an important prop at the conclusion of the piece). The audience sits either on bleachers on either side of the stage or directly around the "ring." (Recommended.) I didn't see Rocky in Hamburg (and doubtful I'll see it in New York...ugh) but BULL is a knockdown, drag-'em-out bout like I haven't seen in theater since George and Martha last graced the stage. (Let's pretend that wasn't only a few months ago...the comparison is apt!)

If you want 55 minutes of sadistic theatrical dynamite...make thy way to BULL!!!

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 5/2/13 at 8:26am

I liked Cock much better, perhaps because there was more character development in that play. I guess I enjoyed Bull, though, and definitely recommend opting for the standing room. You can lean against the boxing ring, although I found that my hands had streaks of silver paint on them by the end of the evening. Perhaps they had just painted the railing of the ring.

The four performers are excellent.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/2/13 at 11:35am

^ Seconding this advice...I went to wash my face last night and had no idea how a streak of grey gunk got on my hands. Chose the ring-side seats...just don't lean :-/

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/16/13 at 11:27am

Anyone else seen this? Thoughts?

[macnyc]

Posted: 5/16/13 at 11:52am

I saw it on Sunday, and stood alongside the ring. (The silver paint has dried; it's no longer a problem.) It's a close-up look at how vicious people can be to one another in a corporate setting. Only the strong (and strong-stomached) survive. It's very short, only 55 minutes, I think, and held my interest. The ending was a surprise. I found it a bit difficult seeing the cruelty, though; it was like sitting through Matilda!

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 5/16/13 at 11:53am

"I found it a bit difficult seeing the cruelty, though; it was like sitting through Matilda!"

HA!