The Drumhellers of Bloody Dick Creek

by William Triplett

10-minute play. Arvin Drumheller is dead, and nobody is happier than his son, Boyd. Arvin’s widow, Inez, is equal parts grieved and relieved. How the hell did it come to this? The action moves backward in time to reveal how (1) abuse comes in different forms, (2) love can make some serious mistakes, and (3) partial deafness can be an unbreakable tie that binds.

10-minute play. Arvin Drumheller is dead, and nobody is happier than his son, Boyd. Arvin’s widow, Inez, is equal parts grieved and relieved. How the hell did it come to this? The action moves backward in time to reveal how (1) abuse comes in different forms, (2) love can make some serious mistakes, and (3) partial deafness can be an unbreakable tie that binds.

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The Drumhellers of Bloody Dick Creek

Recommended by

  • Andrea Fine Carey: The Drumhellers of Bloody Dick Creek

    This bone-chilling play gave me goosebumps--literally--and that was from a staged reading with the lights on at the Kennedy Center last summer. These characters are so compelling, and their story is so disturbing, the play lingered with me long afterwards. I eagerly look forward to the live performance of this brilliant piece of theater.

    This bone-chilling play gave me goosebumps--literally--and that was from a staged reading with the lights on at the Kennedy Center last summer. These characters are so compelling, and their story is so disturbing, the play lingered with me long afterwards. I eagerly look forward to the live performance of this brilliant piece of theater.

  • Tim Glinski: The Drumhellers of Bloody Dick Creek

    This is an effective non-linear play that smoothly jumps in time, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride! The gritty subject matter and characters add tension and foreboding. I didn't see the ending coming, but it was a welcome jolt that ties things together. Definitely recommend Drumhellers!

    This is an effective non-linear play that smoothly jumps in time, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride! The gritty subject matter and characters add tension and foreboding. I didn't see the ending coming, but it was a welcome jolt that ties things together. Definitely recommend Drumhellers!

  • Lee R. Lawing: The Drumhellers of Bloody Dick Creek

    One of the most original plays I've read here on NPX and an out-and-out classic! Love the going back in time and the ending is a shocker that is very well earned. Triplett's writing perfectly captures three very real people in a very real small town and we've all been in those towns just like Bloody Dick Creek and know the score of them, but his play is such a fresh take that it took my breath away by the time I finished reading. Will be adding other plays by this playwright for the future!

    One of the most original plays I've read here on NPX and an out-and-out classic! Love the going back in time and the ending is a shocker that is very well earned. Triplett's writing perfectly captures three very real people in a very real small town and we've all been in those towns just like Bloody Dick Creek and know the score of them, but his play is such a fresh take that it took my breath away by the time I finished reading. Will be adding other plays by this playwright for the future!

View all 11 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage New Play Festival, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Midwest Dramatists Conference, Year 2018