Courtney Deyn and Jacob Samuel, under the banner of Bullyache, present a stark vision of excess, ritual, and power in their dance-theatre production, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find.” The performance unfolds in a grim, visually arresting landscape that evokes the grim aftermath of a decadent corporate gathering. Imagine a desolate boardroom, a naked figure on the floor, another with his trousers down, and the unsettling act of urination into a whisky glass. This scenario sets the stage for a darkly intense, less glamorous echo of the television series “Industry,” depicting menacing power struggles and domination within a cold, hollow space.
Amidst this unsettling tableau, a cleaner appears, methodically mopping up fluids and then serenely singing “Ave Maria.” This juxtaposition highlights the wildly unpredictable and darkly charged world created by Bullyache, a creative duo renowned for their intense dance theatre, here augmented by five on-stage dancers.
The set design by Tor Studio features a striking wall of shattered glass, suggesting a catastrophic impact. This visual metaphor extends to the thematic core of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” which delves into the lives of those who, in Bullyache’s view, drove a truck through the global economy in 2008. Midway through the performance, the mood abruptly shifts as the piece transforms into a gameshow, revealing these “wasted cretins” as the bankers responsible for the financial crisis, leaving the audience to ponder their impending fate.
The inspiration for the show draws from the secretive San Francisco institution, the Bohemian Club. This clandestine gathering of wealthy and influential men engages in various rituals, including the “Cremation of Care,” where members symbolically cast off their worries, or, as Bullyache interprets it, absolve themselves of guilt. While this reference is not explicitly stated in the performance, it informs a climactic ritual. This sequence, reminiscent of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” is set to Shostakovich’s chamber symphony in C minor. The grim atmosphere is punctuated by classical leaps, Latin American swivel movements, assertive folk dance elements, and quasi-religious imagery, culminating in a powerful and thought-provoking experience.
Review Summary (in English):
Bullyache’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” at Sadler’s Wells East, London, is a visually striking dance-theatre piece that explores themes of excess, power, and the consequences of the 2008 financial crisis. The production creates a bleak and ritualistic world, drawing inspiration from the Bohemian Club’s “Cremation of Care.” While visually impactful and conceptually bold, the piece is noted for its limited scope despite its intensity.