Deafinitely Theatre has announced a UK tour of Mike Bartlett’s Bull, presented in a co‑production with Birmingham Rep and Park Theatre and timed to coincide with Sign Language Week.
The production, directed by Deafinitely Theatre’s Artistic Director Paula Garfield MBE, will be performed in the company’s signature bilingual style, combining British Sign Language, spoken English and creative captions.
The tour opens at Birmingham Rep from 12 to 19 September 2026, before moving to HOME Manchester from 24 to 26 September and concluding at Park Theatre from 30 September to 24 October.
Paula Garfield, Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre, said “Following the success of our Off West End Award-winning production of Contractions by Mike Bartlett, I am thrilled to be returning to his writing with Bull. Bartlett’s work exposes the pressure and cruelty that can exist in everyday life. Bull feels especially relevant today as job security becomes more uncertain. The play shows how fear can change people’s behaviour; it is about how ambition, self-protection and silence can turn people into opponents. We are delighted to be co-producing this bold and gripping production with Birmingham Rep and Park Theatre, and I look forward to bringing this powerful story to audiences in 2026.”
Joe Murphy, Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep, added, “We’re delighted to be collaborating once again with Deafinitely Theatre on this bold new production of Bull. Our previous partnerships on The Promise and BARRIER(S) demonstrated the power of deaf-led storytelling to challenge and inspire audiences and we’re proud to continue building on that relationship. This production promises to be a sharp, urgent and compelling addition to our programme.”
Jez Bond, Artistic Director of Park Theatre, said, “Park Theatre is committed to telling accessible, real-to-life stories that resonate with the world around us and the communities we serve. Deafinitely Theatre’s bold, Deaf-led approach brings an extraordinary new perspective to Mike Bartlett’s brilliant play, and we are absolutely thrilled to be working with them to bring it to the London stage. Our partnership with Deafinitely Theatre is an important continuation of our ongoing mission to be an exciting centre for Deaf and hearing audiences alike to experience world class theatre in Finsbury Park.”
Bull examines workplace bullying and the high‑pressure hierarchies that shape modern employment. Four colleagues navigate an unspoken set of rules as jobs hang in the balance, revealing shifting alliances and rising cruelty. Darkly humorous and unsettling, the play interrogates the human cost of competition, fear and silence in corporate environments.
This production marks Deafinitely Theatre’s second adaptation of a Mike Bartlett play, following its award‑winning 2017 staging of Contractions.
Full casting and creative team will be announced soon.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
