PULP SHAKESPEARE (THEATRE ASYLUM): 100% – SWEET

The cast of "Pulp Shakespeare" at Theatre Asylum. Credit: Jordan Monsell.

SWEET
It’s an elaborate re-working of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction as a Shakespearean tragedy, and it’s as fascinating as it is funny.
Kurt Gardner – Blog Critics

SWEET
With grog, broadswords, and kidney pie standing in for beer, automatic pistols, and the “Royale With Cheese,” this lively and imaginative onstage reinvention of Quentin Tarrentino’s film “Pulp Fiction” as an Elizabethan thriller is an often appealing and unexpectedly harrowing drama.
Paul Birchall – LA Weekly (Fringe Review)

SWEET
Not only has director Jordan Monsell (who adapted with Ben Tallen, Aaron Greer, Chris Adams and Brian Watson-Jones) managed to keep up the pace, but some of his actors enter the realm of amazing. Dan White plays Julius (aka Jules, the Sam Jackson role) with thunderous clarity – I am honored to have been in the presence of such a magnificent portrayal: fiery, classical and grounded, Mr. White exemplifies the vocal technique missing in so many modern actors – namely enunciation and diction. Truly, a bravura performance.
Tony Frankel – Stage and Cinema (Fringe Review)

SWEET
High quality verse trips off the tongues of this incredibly talented ensemble and Monsell’s direction constantly found new ways of displaying Tarantino’s clever cinematography on the stage without simply parroting the film.
I Luv Theatre – Zimbio (Fringe Review)

SWEET
Knowing the movie it’s based on is kind of a prerequisite to understanding the convoluted Elizabethan shenanigans, so I am also, now, glad I saw Tarantino’s version. The script, by Ben Tallen, Aaron Greer, Chris Adams, Jordan Monsell and Brian Watson-Jones, was like exquisite cut crystal, perfectly evoking Shakespeare while not missing a single bloody moment of the movie. And it was funny as hell.
Geoff Hoff – LA Theatre Review (Fringe Review)

SWEET
The lines sometimes seem to be anticipated, rather than spontaneous, with the exception of some actors, including the phenomenally convincing, perpetually comically timed performance of Dan White as Julius Winfield (based on the Jules Winnfield character played by Samuel L. Jackson). White elevates the show’s believability beyond mere mimicry into the realm of relatable humanity. Characters like Julius Winfield bring Pulp Shakespeare the additional Shakespearean element of a three-dimensional, Hamletian character struggling with an inner battle between flaws and aspirations.
Kyra Oser – LA Examiner (Fringe Review)

SWEET
The show’s shining virtue is the translation of Tarantino’s stark, tart dialogue into something approaching iambic pentameter. Then stir in the raw fun of slapping legendary movie scenes onto a stage. The cleverness has a sugar-rush effect, delightful in the moment and like a distant memory in the next.
Steven Leigh Morris – LA Weekly

SWEET
A hit at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, this brisk homage plays it straight, and director Jordan Monsell finds some nice moments of suspense (and does a funny turn himself in Christopher Walken’s role). The company’s strongest nod to Tarantino is its cohesive playing style, exemplified by loquacious assassins Vincent (Aaron Lyons, looking oddly like Steve Zahn) and smoothie Jules (Dan White). Dressed in identical black doublets and boots they make a dashing pair, and the show is most alive when they’re onstage.
Charlotte Stoudt – LA Times

SWEET
Both Mr. Shakespeare and Mr. Tarantino would be proud. If you love Pulp Fiction – you’ll love Pulp Shakespeare.
Serita Stevens – LASplash

SWEET
The adaptation is superb. This is the most hysterical re-interpretation of the movie. The writers worked collectively as a unit and came up not only with clever sayings but added their own sense of funny.
Mary E. Montoro – LifeInLA

PULP SHAKESPEARE
Her Majesty’s Secret Players
Theatre Asylum
6320 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012
Tickets: (323) 960-7612