Triptych Theatre, in association with Park Theatre, is set to bring their critically acclaimed sardonic horror story, 'Vermin', to Park90 from September 9 to 20. This unsettling production, which explores themes of love, loss, and obsession through the lens of a devastating rat infestation, promises a unique blend of dark humour and psychological tension.
Written by Benny Ainsworth and directed by Michael Parker, 'Vermin' delves into the lives of Billy and Rachel, whose intense romance is shadowed by macabre events, including a stranger's suicide attempt on the day of their first kiss. As rats infest their home, the scratching sounds against the floorboards seem to unearth more than just vermin, revealing buried grief and disturbing obsessions. The Stage previously lauded the play as "an unsettling but compelling experience… uses horror as a way of exploring grief and the way loss can undo you."
Sally Paffett reprises her OffWestEnd Award-winning role from 2024 as Rachel, starring alongside playwright Ainsworth as her troubled partner. The play arrives in London following successful runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Arcola, where Paffett's performance was recognised.
Ainsworth commented on the play's contemporary relevance, stating, "Attention spans are shorter than ever, so I wanted to write a piece about grief and madness to go off like machine gun fire – and keep a modern theatre audience entertained from start to finish. In an age of connectivity, we are experiencing and fearing a new type of isolation as a species. Vermin’s themes are now more relevant than ever."
'Vermin' will be presented in a double bill with '(God Save My) Northern Soul', a dark comedy about love, loss, and the Northern soul music scene. This offers audiences a compelling evening of contrasting yet thematically linked theatre.
Press Night for 'Vermin' is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, at 8:30 PM, following the 7:00 PM performance of '(God Save My) Northern Soul'. The production is recommended for ages 16+ due to its mature themes, including references to suicide, stillbirth, animal abuse, and strong language.
Tickets are available now via the Park Theatre website.
