←Recommendations of Barbarian

A visually arresting play even if you only read it; the story grips you from the beginning, so just imagine how great it would be to see it. This is a horror story, meant to shock, and yet done in a way that it's not gratuitous. Each element, from the characters and their motives, is clear, concise, and pulls no punches. This is powerful stuff and well-played.

A powerhouse of a short play, full of action, violence, philosophy, and blood. The dialogue between villain and child is chilling, expertly crafted and extremely visceral. Some definite design challenges make this a great piece for actors, designers, a fight choreographer, and a director. Plus (hopefully) the possibility of a sequel!

When an Anglo Saxon kid meets a badass Vampire Viking in the year 798 AD you might be forgiven for thinking that this encounter will not end well. Especially as you have just witnessed the long drawn out demise of the kid's priest. It's the details that pull you into Prillaman's harrowing horror story, but what really sets it apart is the unexpected relationship that develops between Viking Idunn and young Edmund. And the gift (and challenge) she leaves behind. Here's hoping we get to find out whether Edmund decides to take up Idunn's axe!

Daniel Prillaman's gift for character shines in this muscular period piece that wallows in the brutality and bleakness of the low middle ages, in a Europe just getting its Christian feet under it but before the Vikings converted and settled down. Add a pair of fangs and a promise to return, you know that the sequel is going to be a joy for Daniel to write as we see just how diligently young Edmund trained with his axe. Puts the dark right in the dark ages.

Moral relativism can be tricky.

Prillaman pits First Century Christianity against multi-millennial Old Norse, adding a touch of vampirism to give it extra (forgive me) bite.

Most importantly, BARBARIAN answers the question, "what good is a cross if the vampire isn't Christian?"

As always, Prillaman masterfully immerses the reader into a setting and, especially, an atmosphere. YOU ARE THERE!

So is a little Christan boy taught to turn the other cheek, even in the face of an undead Viking warrior. A great theological debate ensues and we're left feeling that this conflict won't be over for a very long time.

BARBARIAN will challenge your expectations, just as much as it challenges the faith of its characters. Daniel Prillaman creates and atmospheric and unsettling play about viking invaders and religion. What can be done when everything you believe is being tested?

Such a fun play! I want so badly to see this staged!

Two words: Viking vampires.

Prillaman's play is medieval horror. It is showdown among not-equals. It is atmospheric drama -- enjoy the stage directions here. It is a power play. There is such rich, personal conflict and a sense of foreboding.

I attended a reading of "Barbarian," and Prillaman's skill shone. It will shine when you read this script, too.

This genre-piece is an absolute thrill-ride. Prillaman builds a world that is intense but with subtle character interactions that leave you wanting more. Why haven't Vikings and vampires ALWAYS been a thing? Read this play!