Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...Playwright Brett Neveu keeps the backstory so vague that there's little emotional charge, leaving fight choreography as the main attraction. Some sudden, gory moments yield both laughs and shock--think pro wrestling--but it's hit-and-miss. Lanky, swift, and impish as the hyped-up youngest brother, Ryan Bourque is the best thing by far in this staging by Duncan Riddell for the Inconvenience."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...The Earl will not be to everyone's taste and that's okay, but it's just the ticket for those who admire the films of Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez. And for anyone who has been trying to get some young male moviegoers to give live theater a try, this is the play with which to start."
Time Out Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...
The production marks the Inconvenience’s emergence from its underground status, and it’s a stunner. The three twentysomething actors playing the brothers lunge and thrust at one another with unbridled ferocity, expertly counterpointed by still moments of silent plotting."
ChicagoCritic - Not Recommended
"...I just don’t get this show. I guess since I’ve witnessed several real life bloody scenes during my days with the Chicago Police, I don’t appreciate stage violence for the sake of violence. This show isn’t for children or teens and I question who laughs at such vulgar raw violence? The sadistic, the disturbed, the voyeuristic? As a theatrical work, The Earl begs for more background and more story. I can not find any value in this show. Maybe, those who laughed throughout can enlighten me as to what I’ve missed?"
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...The Earl is an example of an expected hit, don't let the large amounts of blood fool you, this is a very entertaining and comedic show. The Inconvenience's latest show will keep you laughing but at the same time twisting your stomach, this show is not for those who get squeamish at the sight of fake blood. “The Earl” is just a fun tale about the traditions held by three brothers, in the end much like all things in life, time slowly rips apart the bond between them. Better get at least one more hit in with that said."
Around The Town Chicago - Recommended
"...This is a show that keeps your attention as you never know what will happen next. Who will call a “One” or a “Four”? Who will be in charge of the Tire Iron? Will a new rule take place in the middle of the “game”? Since these actors never allow us to know what is about to happen, it almost appears as we are watching a real “game” where they are truly making up the rules as they go along. This is a quality piece of work and a wild script.Neveu is indeed a writer with a wild imagination. Right now, he has shows all over town. “Odradek” at the House Theatre, “Do The Hustle” up at Writers Theatre and of course “The Earl”. Wild ideas become very creative plays and troupes like The Inconvenience who seek to create new ways of experiencing art have selected a play that truly is unique."
Chicago Theater Beat - Recommended
"...The Earl works as a one-act, but when the house lights came up for curtain call, I was hoping we were at intermission. The dramatic ground work and characterization are laid for a full-length play, and though the show is structurally complete, it did leave me wanting to see more story fleshed out. It originally ran as a late-night show, and likely works better with that mentality going in. But even at 8, it’s a thrilling little piece of pulp fiction. And for that, I’m game."
