Bull

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/3/13 at 9:28am

I saw this yesterday and really loved it. Did anyone else go?

It's by Mike Bartlett, who wrote C0CK, and I liked this one even more than his previous work. He's an extremely sharp and incisive writer, who has a remarkable flare for dialogue. His plays are like good versions of LaBute's ideas.

The production was environmentally staged; there was a boxing ring (with metal "ropes") and some of the audience was seated to the North and South of the ring, while the remainder, myself included, got to stand around the ring, resting on the ropes.

There were four characters: a boss and three employees jockeying for only two positions as the company was downsizing. Two of the employees were shrewd, cutthroat types who had been systematically crushing the third nice, but weaker employee over the past few month. They used every cruelty they could to make him physically and mentally begin to lose it.

The actors (all Brits) were excellent, with special mention to Eleanor Matsuura who had an AWESOME monologue at the end of the show that accompanied a surprise special effect.

I really hope we keep getting to see Bartett's plays over here. He's one to keep an eye on.

[After Eight]

Posted: 6/3/13 at 9:51am

A painful and rancid depiction, seemingly approbatory, alas, of a sadistic and pitiless world. God help us all if it's true. As its title indicates, it's a play for those who find watching a bull cut to death in a ring pleasurable "sport." Or for those who enjoy watching bullies torment a hapless soul and emerge triumphant, and for those who think that's the way things should be.

The actors do a great job; the staging is excellent. The writing is clean and sharp, but even with its short length, it fails to sustain momentum.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 6/3/13 at 10:01am

I saw this yesterday as well and agree with everything Whizzer said. I'm very glad I caught this before the end of the run since I never made it to COCK. Standing was definitely the way to go because you felt a part of the highly volatile action.

I could probably watch Eleanor Matsuura read the phone book as long as she did it as such a complete Bitch as her character here. She was by far my favorite of the four. Adam James is dreamy and I wanted to jump onto the set and put my face on his chest (that sounds far less creepy if you've seen the show).

The final scene at the end made for a really beautiful effect and unlike anything I've seen before. Another time I was glad to be so close to the action. I won't be missing another Mike Bartlett play again.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/3/13 at 10:03am

I think it was a fairly truthful depiction; I think it's the way it has always been. There is no glorious past when this didn't take place.

Maybe these lyrics will help:

Nothing's the way that it was.
I want it the way that it was.
God knows things were easier then.
Trouble is Charley,
That's what everyone does:
Blames the way it is
On the way it was
On the way it never ever was.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/3/13 at 10:46am

'Bull' is well-staged and well-acted, but even at an hour or so, it seemed too long as an exercise in cruelty. Co-workers gang up and bully a weaker member. So what? Except for a final scenic effect, there were no surprises. No twists. No enlightenment. It was like watching a helpless puppy get kicked over and over. I imagine some will find that entertaining in the way others enjoy bullfights, but the characters in 'Bull' bore no resemblance to any human beings I know, in how they act or talk. For me, they were just mouthpieces for a dreary conceit. Before the show began, I was wondering why such a small theater would be nearly half-empty; having seen 'Bull,' I now see why.