A pledge is ushered into the initiation process of a college fraternity. ‘Scrotal Recall’ is labelled and subjected to intense humiliation and objectification. The process is repeated and its ceremony furthered at various points throughout the production. As dark vignettes these are noisy, brutal and unnerving moments but they serve the system. There is authority, there is violence and there is threat. There is also the necessity for absolute submission. Without completing the tasks presented to them, the pledge has no chance of becoming a ‘brother’ – a fully fledged member of the fraternity.
Frat’s dissection of American college life is informed. National Lampoon gave us Animal House decades ago, but this examined college life in the 1960s. In 2000, The Skulls exaggerated the secret society to the nth. In recent years only The Social Network comes to mind for reference about a topic that examines something so specifically American; the college fraternity system.
Frat provides a useful glossary on its program. It details the terminology associated with the system, a rigid co-ordination that takes structure and organisation as seriously as any political party. The hazing process is a matter of life in the construct of this society, but the US has complicated governance and frat life is presented as essential preparation for a seamless transition into this system.
For Alex, Brent, Charles and Dexter, study appears secondary to their commitment to the brotherhood. Each actor commits to the respective perversity of the role. The tightly drilled collective are booming, brash and arrogant. They represent a World where competition is everything and failure is trampled on.
Dexter is the clear outsider, clutching for acceptance. Charles would drink himself to death if it meant defending the frat whilst Alex and Brent stand at the top of the hierarchy in quiet competition. This is a heterosexual male world, but homo-erotic connotations pinpoint every step. These are real college ‘men’ and this means Charles can revel in Scrotal Recall’s sexual encounter with the mascot Sphinx. He ridicules Dexter with reference to the pledge’s sexual prowess with said inanimate object; he’s not even a brother yet (which makes him nothing) but he still slept with Dexter’s girlfriend at the start of term and that gives him kudos.
The power plays go back and forth. Everything revolves around machismo, but toxic masculinity is an afterthought in this world; this is life in a dog eat dog world and any kind of ‘ism, ‘inity or belief other than what the frat says is toxic. Drink is involved at every step, but the champagne and shackles party bring a premature resolve to the endless party.
Alex has taken advantage of the girl he was handcuffed to. The internal kangaroo court jumps. The responsibility within the frat system kicks into play and guides us towards the plays humility and pathos. The system of bravado has rightfully frowned at Alex’s behaviour. Hubris melts: he’s a future politician; how can he not get away with an action he denies when he’s surrounded by the brotherhood that he so aggressively leads?
The play unfolds in snaps and spasms. The final denouement packs a weighty punch. A cathartic resolve of sorts appears but this is a play about ostracism and its extremes – and that consideration defines the show as the final devastating conversation concludes and fades to black.
Reviewer: Al Carretta
Reviewed: 20th August 2025
North West End UK Rating: