When Alan discovers a hidden door in the British Library, he’s pulled into a surreal world where idioms come to life and management-speak runs wild. From Hobson’s Choice to Flash Harry, every phrase has a personality and plenty to say about how language is being misused. It’s sharp, satirical, and full of utter bull the British kind.
your spirit and guide you toward a deeper understanding of your life’s purpose.
David Withey has spent much of his professional life working in local government, but his passion has always been creative writing and amateur theatre. As the founder of “The Cheapskate Theatre Company,” a group known for its self-deprecating motto, “Every expense has been spared,” David’s early plays captured the humour and absurdities of everyday office life.
In the early 2000s, he brought his distinctive style to the stage with The University of the Fuschia, a sharp satire set in a front room-turned-university, followed by its equally cheeky sequel, Back to the Fuschia. His most recent work, “Beware of the Old Bull,” aims at the English language. Hailed by reviewers as “sizzling satire” and “clever storytelling,” it reflects his signature blend of wit, wordplay, and linguistic curiosity.
Though not formally trained in linguistics, Withey’s work has often led readers to wonder who is the mind behind the pen? With a knack for provoking both thought and laughter, he prefers to let the words speak for themselves.
Beware of the Old Bull is a sharp, witty satire by David Withy, performed by the Wellington Heath Amateur Dramatic Society. It follows Alan, an ordinary man who discovers a hidden world behind the British Library where English idioms come to life.
From Hobson’s Choice to Bobby Dazzler, Alan meets a cast of living expressions while uncovering the nonsense behind business-speak and jargon. This clever comedy pokes fun at how language is twisted in politics, advertising, and management.
A charming blend of humour, wordplay, and cultural critique, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves the English language or just enjoys a good laugh.
“A clever, witty play that turns language itself into the main character. ‘Beware of the Old Bull’ is both hilarious and thought-provoking, holding up a mirror to the nonsense we often accept without question. Anyone who’s ever sat through a meeting full of buzzwords will find this spot-on.”
“David Withy’s play is a masterclass in linguistic satire. ‘Beware of the Old Bull’ takes everyday expressions and exposes the nonsense we wrap around them. It’s fast-paced, wonderfully British, and so smartly written I had to pause just to laugh out loud.”
“This play is genius. If you’ve ever been trapped in a room with someone explaining ‘synergetic paradigms’ with a straight face, this will be gloriously cathartic. ‘Beware of the Old Bull’ makes a serious point about language while being consistently hilarious.”
“A marvellous blend of farce and commentary, ‘Beware of the Old Bull’ is a love letter to plain English and a warning about the nonsense we dress up as intelligence. Alan’s surreal journey through idioms and institutions had me grinning from start to finish.”
