The Young Vic Theatre | ChicanePictures

Director Clare Lizzimore’s brutish production of Mike Bartlett’s 55 minute ‘study’ of office bullying entitled Bull is currently concluding its short run at London’s Young Vic.

Described but The Guardian as, “nasty and brutish,” the play is staged in the intimate Maria space, offering ringside seats (which are completely sold out!) as three employees – Isobel (Eleanor Matsuura), Tony (Adam James) and Thomas (Sam Troughton) fight to keep their jobs and avoid boss Carter’s (Neil Stuke) sword.

Isobel and Tony combine to make sure Thomas is the sacrifice as the playwright plots the destruction with, “the studied, elegant technique of a matador haunting a bull,” according to Laura Barrett in The Telegraph.

Originally staged in the Crucible’s studio space in Sheffield, it then enjoyed a run off Broadway before making its London debut, which has been extended until 14 February 2015.

The brilliant cast all signed my montage sketch after the mid week matinée this week.

Adam James reprises his role as the silkily offensive Tony in Mike Bartlett’s 55 minute four-hander Bull in the Maria space at the Young Vic Theatre. His character ruthlessly gangs up with Isobel (Eleanor Matsuura) on Thomas (Sam Troughton) to ensure Thomas is chosen by their older boss (Neil Stuke) for the chop, west in an unspecified office setting.

It was inspired when the playwright watched a bullfight in Mexico, one of the last surviving examples of ritual public slaughter. “To see something you really disapprove of, but it activates something primal and unsanitised,” he said. Mike won the 2013 National Theatre Award for Best New Play.

Cast members Adam, Eleanor and Sam originated their roles at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 2013, transferring for a run off-Broadway in New York in April, before making the London premiere this year.

Bull continues at the Young Vic until 14 Feb.