Radiant Vermin - Lyric Arts

Photo: Molly Weibel

Playing at Lyric Arts in Anoka, Philip Ridley's play Radiant Vermin is a surreal, funny, fantastical play with scathing social commentary. That might scare you off, but don't let it. It is so well directed and performed, and such a rarely done show, that I think you should treat yourself to it. The show runs about 100min with no intermission, and it is such a lovely theatre!

I have to be upfront and say that I have been a fan of Philip Ridley since I first read a book of his on a trip from London to New York. I had bought it the day before, started reading it once we took off and was finished by the time we landed. I could NOT put it down and it was so good. Every since that time, I have bought and read so many of his books and quite a few of his plays. That being written, take a look at the incomplete list of his works and you will know I probably barely scratched the surface of his output. 

Photo: Molly Weibel

Radiant Vermin tells the story of a couple - Ollie (Noah Hynick) and Jill (Callie Baack) - a urban couple who feel like they are stuck in the projects and want to get out, but can't afford it. Suddenly they receive a letter inviting them to meet a Miss Dee (Danielle Krivinchuk) at a suburban housing location. They do meet her in a house that clearly needs renovating. She convinces them to sign a contract which will give them the house, provide ways for them to renovate, and if they end up selling and moving...they get to keep the money from the sale. As Ollie states, nothing is free. Eventually we find out the cost of the situation. 

Photo: Molly Weibel

These three actors are the only ones on stage. The story, as in quite a few of Ridley's plays, is told by Ollie and Jill directly to the audience. The set is clearly a house in need of some work, and there are little to no props. Everything is left to the imagination of the audience. Ridley makes us work, and involves us as well. Krivinchuk plays two roles, but the majority of the evening it is just Hynick and Baack on stage together. That includes an extended party scene towards the end where they play Ollie and Jill, along with all the various neighbors at the party. Astounding work by both actors, and such clear direction by Callie Aho. It is difficult to talk about the play without giving away too many plot points so I won't. However I will say that there is a lot of talk about the houseless, faith, being raised in a religious environment, and consumerism. The way Ridley weaves in all these varied subjects into a cohesive, yet surreal script is amazing. Add to that a splash of the fantastic or supernatural and, in my experience, that is what makes a Ridley play a Ridley play. I love it, and I think you will also. It plays till March 24 so take a chance.

ps: The book I read was the original version of "In The Eyes of Mr. Fury." I saw it in a bookshop in London and was entranced by the cover art. I knew nothing about it, bought it on a whim, and it is still one of my favorite books. Ridley rereleased an expanded version which I have also read. He has directed three films, written a LOT of kids books (which are amazing), poetry (which I have never read), and lyrics/librettos. There is a lot of his work that I don't know but I want to. I think he is a great writer.