Bull E-Book

Mike Bartlett

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Serie: NHB Modern Plays
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 49

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

A razor-sharp play about the fine line between office politics and playground bullying, Bull offers ringside seats as three employees fight to keep their jobs. Mike Bartlett's acid-tongued play Bull opened at the Young Vic, London, in 2015, directed by Clare Lizzimore. It was originally performed at the Crucible Studio Theatre, Sheffield, in 2013, where it won the UK Theatre Awards for Best New Play. It also won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2015.

Leseprobe

Mike Bartlett

BULL

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Title Page

Acknowledgements

Original Production

Characters

Bull

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

Acknowledgements

Thanks to: Daniel Bates, Daniel Evans, Soutra Gilmour, Neil McPherson, and particularly, Clare Lizzimore.

M.B.

Bull was first performed at the Crucible Studio Theatre, Sheffield, on 6 February 2013. The cast was as follows:

TONY

Adam James

CARTER

Adrian Lukis

ISOBEL

Eleanor Matsuura

THOMAS

Sam Troughton

Director

Clare Lizzimore

Designer

Soutra Gilmour

Lighting Designer

Peter Mumford

Sound Designer

Christopher Shutt

Characters

THOMAS

ISOBEL

TONY

CARTER

The audience is raked down towards the actors.

There should be a minimum of scenery, props and furniture, in order to keep the focus on the drama of the scene.

( / ) means the next speech begins at that point.

( – ) means the next line interrupts.

(…) at the end of a speech means it trails off. On its own it indicates a pressure, expectation or desire to speak.

A line with no full stop at the end indicates that the next speech follows on immediately.

A speech with no written dialogue indicates a character deliberately remaining silent.

Blank space between speeches in the dialogue indicates a silence equal to the length of the space.

This ebook was created before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the play as performed.

ISOBEL

You’ve got…

THOMAS

What?

ISOBEL

You’ve got something just…

THOMAS

What?

ISOBEL

No the other side.

THOMAS

There?

ISOBEL

Yes. No it’s still there.

THOMAS

Gone? Has it gone now?

ISOBEL

Well…

THOMAS

Where is he?

ISOBEL

He’s coming. Look at you.

THOMAS

What? What are you talking about?

ISOBEL

Step left step right –

THOMAS

Stop it.

ISOBEL

– dancing all over the room. Calm down.

THOMAS

I am calm. I’m standing perfectly still.

ISOBEL

You are now. But before you were like a spaz in a sweet shop. Oo oo oo.

THOMAS

Stop criticising me.

I’m very cool about all this.

ISOBEL

You’re not cool about anything.

THOMAS

It’s just one of those days, one of those meetings you know, there’s no reason to be particularly fussed about it.

ISOBEL

now you’re fussed

THOMAS

I mean he’s just a man, isn’t he?

ISOBEL

I believe so.

THOMAS

With a job to do.

ISOBEL

Did you wear that deliberately?

THOMAS

Did I wear what deliberately?

ISOBEL

Your suit.

THOMAS

Yes I wore my suit deliberately yes, I didn’t accidentally wear it, what would that even mean –

ISOBEL

It means your suit looks cheap.

THOMAS

Yeah. Well. I didn’t wear it for you.

ISOBEL

No I think you wore it because you think it’s your best one, but actually I think the other one, the one you wear every day, I think that’s better.

THOMAS

You really are a bitch.

ISOBEL

Hey.

Hey.

I’m just saying, since we’re waiting, since we’re making conversation best as we can, I’m simply saying your suit isn’t as great as you think it is. That’s allowed. Expressing my opinion. Your suit, whether you like it or not, is a talking point. I’m not being a bitch. You should be grateful I was making conversation at all.

THOMAS

You’ve never liked me.

ISOBEL

Where the fuck is this coming from?

TONY

Are we ready?

THOMAS

We look ready don’t we? Stupid fucking question.

TONY

Is he going to wear that suit?

THOMAS

For fuck’s –

ISOBEL

Yes he is.

THOMAS

TALK TO ME! I’m here. Look.

TONY

Why isn’t he wearing his best one?

ISOBEL

This is what I was / saying.

THOMAS

This is my best one.

TONY

Oh right. Really?

ISOBEL

Look you see you have to accept it now, I’m not fucking with you, your suit will count against you. And Tony agrees so –

THOMAS

Alright, I won’t make an effort next time.

ISOBEL

I don’t think there’ll be a next time. Not for you. I mean from my point of view your suit is good news. Your suit is exactly what I want to see you wearing. Means I’m one up before we’ve begun. I was just trying to be nice.

THOMAS

He should be here. Have you heard anything from him?

TONY

What?

THOMAS

We’re in the same room. You heard what I said. So why did you just say what?

TONY

What?

THOMAS

I said had you heard anything and instead of replying you said what? So it wasn’t that you didn’t hear me, it’s implying a contempt for my question.

TONY

What?

THOMAS

I could hit you sometimes.

TONY

Why would he call me?

THOMAS

You’re the team leader. Officially anyway.

TONY

Officially oo owch I’m offended. No. He knows the time we’re meeting so why would he call? He’s always on time. He knows we’ll be here, I don’t understand your question. Hence my reply: ‘What?’

ISOBEL

It’s still there.

THOMAS

What?

ISOBEL

The thing. Just…

THOMAS

Where? I thought you said it was…

ISOBEL

Yeah but it kind of –

THOMAS

Have you got a mirror?

ISOBEL

Sorry.

THOMAS

Yeah if I looked like you I wouldn’t bother either.

ISOBEL

A compliment. Thank you.

THOMAS

I meant –

ISOBEL

I know what you meant.

There’s a mirror in the bathroom.

Thomas?

You know where the bathroom is?

THOMAS

Yeah but I don’t want to leave do I? In case he gets here when I’m gone. So.

ISOBEL

Okay

Fine.

Fine.

…but I really think you should have a look.

Right?

TONY

Yeah.

ISOBEL

I mean it’s… it’s really… isn’t it?

TONY

Yeah mate, mate’s favour, it’s really…

THOMAS

Okay.

I see.

You’re fucking with me.

ISOBEL

On your head be it.

Literally.

THOMAS

You really are not sexy I want to say that. You should know that.

ISOBEL

Thank you Thomas, but your opinion is one of the least important.

THOMAS

So fucking icy. I could take you to a country hotel and put you in front of the fire, leave you all night, and I guarantee you’d still be as fucking frozen as you are right now. Icy, hard. Tight.

TONY