Triptych Theatre in association with Park Theatre presents Vermin

A sardonic horror story of love, loss and obsession unearthed by a rat infestation

Written by Benny Ainsworth | Directed by Michael Parker
Park Theatre, Park90, 9 – 20 September

A romance that blossoms against a backdrop of unsettling events becomes further blighted by an invasion of rats in a horror story told with sardonic humour. The fast-burning relationship between Billy and Rachel, whose first kiss coincided with a stranger’s suicide attempt, tunnels deeper into the macabre as the rats in their home scratch against more than just the floorboards, unearthing disturbing obsessions and grief that refuses to remain buried. Following hit runs at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Arcola, Vermin sees Sally Paffett return to her Off West End Award-winning 2024 role, alongside playwright Benny Ainsworth as her troubled lover. 

Press night will be held on Thursday 11 September, 8.30pm in a double bill with (God Save My) Northern Soul at 7pm.

Vermin plays in Park90 in a double bill with (God Save My) Northern Soul, a dark comedy about love, loss and Northern soul music.

“An unsettling but compelling experience… uses horror as a way of exploring grief and the way loss can undo you.” ★★★★ The Stage

Benny Ainsworth said, “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. Horror digs its claws in deepest when a populous develops a mutual fear. 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, and I can’t wait for its horror and heartbreak to capture a new audience.”

Triptych Theatre, made up of Michael Parker, Sally Paffett, and Benny Ainsworth, has been writing, producing, and directing its own work since graduating from East 15 in 2014. Their previous shows include An Audience with Stuart Bagcliffe. Vermin premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Gilded Balloon, and its Arcola run was finalist for the Off West End Awards for Best New Play and Lead Performance in a Play for Benny Ainsworth, and won Lead Performance in a Play for Sally Paffett. 

Park Theatre presents exceptional theatre in the heart of Finsbury Park, boasting two world-class performance spaces: Park200 for predominantly larger scale productions by established talent, and Park90, a flexible studio space, for emerging artists. In eleven years, it has enjoyed eight West End transfers (including Rose starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, 14 national tours, seven Olivier Award nominations, has won multiple Off West End Awards, and Theatre of the Year award from The Stage as well as their inaugural Campaign of the Year award in 2025 for their work reaching underserved audiences with Korean comedy drama Kim’s Convenience.

Running Time: 60 mins (approx.) | Suitable for ages 16+
Content warnings: This production contains reference to suicide, stillbirth and animal abuse. Also contains strong language.

Company information

Director Michael Parker Writer Benny Ainsworth

Lighting designer Alex Lewer Sound designer Ben Sorab

Cast

Rachel Sally Paffett Billy Benny Ainsworth

Listings information

Park90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

£17.50 (standard), 50% off up to two tickets (access), £10 (Park Under 30, throughout the run) I Previews 9 & 10 Sept £14.50
www.parktheatre.co.uk | 020 7870 6876*
* Telephone booking fee of £3 per transaction applies. All ticket prices are inclusive of a £1.50 building levy. 

Vermin performance schedule:

7pm: 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th | 8.30pm: 9th, 11th, 16th, 19th, 20th   
2.30pm: 20th | 4pm: 13th,18th  

In a double bill with (God Save My) Northern Soul.

(God Save My) Northern Soul performance schedule
7pm: 9th, 11th, 16th, 19th, 20th    | 8.30pm: 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th
2.30pm: 13th,18th | 4pm: 20th