Radiant Vermin

West College Scotland and Queen Margaret University BA (Hons) Drama Theatre and Performance Graduate Showcase

Radiant Vermin by Philip Ridley

Radiant Vermin is a dark comedy that explores greed, morality, and the housing crisis.

The play follows a young couple, Jill and Ollie, who are struggling to find a decent home while expecting their first baby. They are offered a run-down house for free by a mysterious woman, Miss Dee. However, they soon discover a disturbing secret and for now it will remain a secret! However, we all know that getting a step on the property ladder is murder. As the couple become increasingly obsessed with creating their “perfect” home, they justify their actions as their moral values deteriorate, and they grow more ruthless and materialistic. The play is a satirical and shocking critique of consumerism and social inequality, asking how far people are willing to go to achieve comfort and success.