Damien Burke

The Return of “Pulp Shakespeare”

Damien — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:23:56 +0000

When “Pulp Shakespeare” had its west coast premiere at the Hollywood Fringe it played to sold-out audiences, was critically acclaimed, and awarded Best of Fringe.

Now Her Majesty’s Secret Players are bringing it back for a limited run: October 14 through November 13, Friday and Saturday’s at 8pm and Sunday’s at 2pm at the Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood CA 90038.

In addition to stage-managing I am part of the producing team for this run and I know it’s something I can be proud of and I hope you will be there.

Tickets are available now at Plays 411 plays411.net/pulp. For more information visit our website.

Inaugural “Black Stars and Doves”

Damien — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:21:36 +0000

Saturday was the inaugural performance of the iEvolve Theater Group; “Black Stars & Doves,” an outdoor afternoon of poetry.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this new theater company. Thank you to my fellow performers for their wonderful work and supportive environment. And thank you to Langston Hughes who provided the marvelous text for me to perform.

For more information about the iEvolve Theater Group visit their website: www.iEvolveProductions.com.

“Waking from the Dream” closes

Damien — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:27:41 +0000

“Waking from the Dream” closed over a week ago, but I’m only just now recovering. Now is a great time to thank, Barika Croom my co-star, the Velma in “Velma and Manny”; our director Carolyn Blais; writer and producer Rochelle Perry; and producer Anne Mesa; and the rest of the cast and crew.

Thank you. You were amazing!

In appreciation, I will restrain myself from making another pun on the title.

Engine 28 reviews Pulp Shakespeare

Damien — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 07:04:48 +0000

Kerry Lengel interviewed the director of Pulp Shakespeare:

Sex and spatter are also key to the appeal of Pulp Shakespeare, which transforms Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction into an Elizabethan tragedy. It started out, in, of all places, on Wikispaces.com, where a page dubbed “Pulp Bard” crowdsourced the rewrite.

Director Jordan Mansell made some changes of his own for his Fringe version, produced under the moniker Her Majesty’s Secret Players.

“The through-line for both Tarantino and Shakespeare is interesting characters who like to talk a lot,” says Mansell, whose current reading list includes Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer.

“The underlining themes in Shakespeare are love and death and betrayal,” he says. “He really knew the human psyche, and that’s immortal.”

Read the whole article.

We had an awesome show tonight and another full house so buy your tickets now.

Tolucan Times review of “Waking from the Dream”

Damien — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:19:19 +0000

“[Playwright Rochelle Perry's] stories, based on true life experiences — love, loss, deep soul-searching — give each act depth, dimension and drama, which mesmerizes her audience from start to end.”

Read the full review.

“Waking from the Dream” at the Write Act Repertory Theater, 7:30pm June 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Tickets are $15. Call (323) 469-3113 for reservations.

Waking from the Dream opening

Damien — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:32:11 +0000

Come see me in “Velma and Manny,” one of the one-act plays in “Waking from the Dream” running for the next two weeks at Write Act Repertory.

“Velma and Manny” is a quirky and very funny piece about Velma’s first date, and the doll she brings along.

The rest of the pieces explore living with delusions in various ways. Come early for the art show, Japanese treats and tea, and a different pre-show every night.

“Waking from the Dream” at the Write Act Repertory Theater, 7:30pm June 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Tickets are $15. Call (323) 469-3113 for reservations.

Pulp Shakespeare opening

Damien — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:00:58 +0000

I will be stage-managing “Pulp Shakespeare” when it opens tomorrow to a sold-out house at the Actor’s Circle Theatre. Ten-dollar preview tickets are still available for Sunday at 7pm, after that tickets go up to $15. Buy your tickets now before they sell out.

There is also time to become a patron of Her Majesty’s Secret Players and earn the prestige and swag that patrons of the arts deserve.

“Pulp Shakespeare” at the Actor’s Circle Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046. June 11th at 8pm, June 12 at 7pm, June 18 at 11pm, June 10 at 7pm, June 24 at 7pm, June 25 at 11pm, and June 26 at 3pm. Tickets available at the Hollywood Fringe website.

Waking from the Dream

Damien — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:20:26 +0000

I am really excited to be performing in “Waking from the Dream,” a series of one-acts by Rochelle Perry. Barika A. Croom and I star in the comedy, “Velma and Manny.”

Come see us June 8-22nd, Monday through Wednesdays at 7:30pm at the Write Act Repertory Theatre 6128 Yucca St. Hollywood Blvd 90028. (Free parking one block south at 6125 Carlos Ave.)

Tiger closes

Damien — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:20:07 +0000

I’m still a little dazed, but it’s actually over. “Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” had it’s last performance yesterday. It’s been a marvelous journey. Thank you to the cast, crew, and everyone who came out to see us.

Pulp Shakespeare

Damien — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:44:12 +0000

Ever wonder what would Pulp Fiction be like if it were written by William Shakespeare? Someone did. And it’s pretty awesome.

I’ve agreed to stage manage the West Coast premiere of “Pulp Shakespeare; or, A Slurry Tale” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Our little merry band, Her Majesty’s Secret Player is in need of patronage. Make a pledge via our Kickstarter.

Buy tickets.