This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw Bull at the invite of Kate Morley PR.
By Dave Massey
This production contains strong language and references to child abuse.
Bull at Birmingham Rep: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐A compelling darkly comic story.
Directed by Paula Garfield written by Mike Bartlett
Three members of a work team have been called for a serious meeting: Ciaran O’Breen (Thomas), Jasmine Whipps (Isobel), and Danny Lee (Tony), for a company which is making cuts to the staff. But the owner, David Sands (Carter), is late. Tony and Isobel decide to wind Thomas up whilst they wait.
Told in one part over nearly eighty minutes using sign language; Bull uses a red-framed stage and hanging board with a space for subtitles. There’s a water dispenser and two chairs on the stage, and that is pretty much everything to see.
Ciaran O’Breen is heartbreaking as Thomas. Thomas is easily led and highly influenced by his work peers. Jasmine Whipps‘ Isobel is very layered, with confidence covering the vulnerability of Isobel, whilst Danny Lee’s Tony is the “lad” of the group, a natural leader, bold and brash, with poor office behaviour driving him forward.
I’m the sort of person who watches content with subtitles on nearly all the time, so I’m pretty used to looking around for more description, but for those new to doing this it might be quite exhausting. So you will either find it pretty easy to watch or challenging.
The story is quite dark and explores institutional bullying presented as survival of the fittest or the emotionally strongest. There are moments of very dark humour throughout.
A compelling darkly comic story, Bull is at Birmingham Rep until 19th September 2026. Book tickets here: birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/bull.
