Philip Ridley’s plays tend to be grotesque and explosive. Their language is dense and their characters monstrous. Here he returns to a familiar theme — that apocalypse is imminent — but his approach is more accessible and overtly political than usual.
Jill and Ollie dream of home ownership. Out of the blue comes fairy godmother Miss Dee, who offers them a free house “in a locale that has much potential”. The idea is that they’ll improve the property and spark regeneration by inspiring others to move to the area.
Too good to be true? Maybe. But Jill and Ollie aren’t in a position to refuse. Once installed, they embark on renovations and discover an unorthodox way of speeding up their efforts. Let’s just say that the vermin of the title are homeless people and their radiance is a by-product when they’re killed.
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Ridley pictures consumerism at its most insane and destructive. He’s on stingingly funny form — never more so than when a birthday party for Jill and Ollie’s son Benjy becomes a frantic display of middle-class neuroses.
Director David Mercatali is an experienced interpreter of Ridley’s work and infuses his production with fierce energy. There are dazzling performances from Gemma Whelan, a whirlwind of mannerisms, and Sean Michael Verey, who is, if anything, even more physically supple. Amanda Daniels provides strong support — as the sinister Miss Dee and her rather less bullish alter ego.
Until April 12 (020 7478 0100, sohotheatre.com)
