TATTOO: A Tale of Terror

by Greg Burdick

(Radio Play, Short) For reasons he can't explain, Stephen feels compelled to enter a sketchy looking tattoo parlor that any reasonable person would avoid altogether. Once inside, he encounters a peculiar old woman, who Stephen enlists to become the artist of his baptismal ink job. At the first prick of the needle, he decides to make a break for the door, but the old woman bars his way, with a terrifying plan...

(Radio Play, Short) For reasons he can't explain, Stephen feels compelled to enter a sketchy looking tattoo parlor that any reasonable person would avoid altogether. Once inside, he encounters a peculiar old woman, who Stephen enlists to become the artist of his baptismal ink job. At the first prick of the needle, he decides to make a break for the door, but the old woman bars his way, with a terrifying plan in store. (Special Note: please take a moment to listen to the excellent recording of the play performed by the Radio Theatre Project of St. Petersburg, FL. A link to the the SoundCloud file is below.)

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TATTOO: A Tale of Terror

Recommended by

  • Greg Mandryk: TATTOO: A Tale of Terror by Greg Burdick
    “

    Conventionally, when a horror story is narrated retrospectively by the protagonist, one may assume that they have survived their ordeal intact and are now sound enough in mind and body to relate their horrific encounter. Burdick brilliantly defies this trope with TATTOO: A Tale of Terror. Tense, atmospheric, and creepy, this would make an excellent addition to any evening of horror radio plays!

    Conventionally, when a horror story is narrated retrospectively by the protagonist, one may assume that they have survived their ordeal intact and are now sound enough in mind and body to relate their horrific encounter. Burdick brilliantly defies this trope with TATTOO: A Tale of Terror. Tense, atmospheric, and creepy, this would make an excellent addition to any evening of horror radio plays!

    ”
  • Doug DeVita: TATTOO: A Tale of Terror by Greg Burdick
    “

    Intense and horrifying, Burdick writes in a dreamlike state, building the tension and the horror in small but insistent increments until everything explodes like a nightmare from which there is no waking. Chilling, fascinating, and I loved every minute of it. I may not sleep for a month, but I loved it.

    Intense and horrifying, Burdick writes in a dreamlike state, building the tension and the horror in small but insistent increments until everything explodes like a nightmare from which there is no waking. Chilling, fascinating, and I loved every minute of it. I may not sleep for a month, but I loved it.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: TATTOO: A Tale of Terror by Greg Burdick
    “

    Your mother warned you never to enter a tattoo parlor! Perhaps you should've listened! Horrifying and well done!

    Your mother warned you never to enter a tattoo parlor! Perhaps you should've listened! Horrifying and well done!

    ”
View all 14 recommendations

Character Information

This could be played with as few as two performers, (splitting the male and female characters,) or as many as six.
  • STEPHEN
    A young man.
    36
    Male
  • THE STORYTELLER
    An older, wiser Stephen.
    75
    Male
  • THE PARLOR OWNER
    A creepy, mysterious hag.
    63
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • A YOUNG GIRL
    Ethereal. Innocent.
    16
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • A DOCTOR
    OB/GYN.
    45
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • MRS. DUDLEY
    A housewife.
    35
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Production History

  • Professional, Radio Theatre Project, St. Petersburg, FL, 2019

Awards

  • Short Play Festival
    On and Off Theatre Workshop
    Finalist
    2022