A HIT play at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe has debuted in London after being met with critical acclaim.
Written by Benny Ainsworth, directed by Michael Parker and starring Sally Paffett alongside Ainsworth, Vermin centres on a young couple, Billy and Rachel, facing a rat problem.
That “vermin” problem comes following Rachel’s stillbirth, bringing all the unresolved trauma surrounding that to the forefront of their relationship.
“It is really dark but Benny’s writing is fantastic. It’s crisp and clear and energised. Audiences are shocked, sad and happy. It takes you through a lot of emotions and we don’t give audiences room to sit in it”, Paffett told The National.
Following success at Scotland’s major arts festival, it’s playing at the Arcola Theatre in London until April 1.
The whole cast is composed of just the two actors which, although it may seem challenging on the face of things, is an environment Paffett says she thrives in.
She explained: “Our set is minimal but I love it. We’re trying to budget ourselves and not carry too much stuff around.
“What’s great about this play is we can use our audience as well so we look directly into their eyes and riff off them which keeps the energy alive but I think it’s going to be great at the Arcola to use the space to the best of our ability. I’m excited to see how it works there.
“Me and Benny know each other really well and can play off each other so it’s much easier than just doing a one-person play.”
READ MORE: St Andrews sound engineer Chris Burdon wins Oscar for best sound
Like his co-star, Ainsworth is excited to see what a new audience will bring. He said: “It’s not interactive but we do include the audience with direct address and you get in-your-face reactions.
The Edinburgh Fringe wasn’t the play’s debut though, with Ainsworth and Paffett also taking it to Brighton last year.
“When we trialled in Brighton when we didn’t know how they would react we got people interrupting, responding and almost passing out which we had never experienced before”, the play’s writer told The National.
“We had some experience of putting it on but then Edinburgh was a different kettle of fish, it was really intense with no breaks.
“That felt like a trial by fire but it was amazing. I love the Edinburgh Fringe, it’s like a theme park for theatre-goers.”
As celebrated a festival it is, the Edinburgh Fringe can be a tough gig for performers, with the cost of living putting a strain on artists who need to live in the city during festival season.
Paffett says it’s great that they were able to find subsequent success rather than finishing things up at the Fringe.
READ MORE: Richard Rankin: Outlander star cast as Rebus for new series
“This was our aim. I think that’s the case for a lot of companies, going to Edinburgh and then get a transfer over.
“I’m just elated to know that the Fringe still works. It’s not just somewhere people go and lose a bit of money.
“You can actually go and carry on your show.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here