A Rat’s Mass, a provocative theatrical piece, delves into a chaotic world of desperation and conflict. Initially staged in Boston under the avant-garde direction of David Wheeler, the play later captivated audiences in New York, thanks to Ellen Stewart's production at the La Mama Experimental Theatre Club. In both versions, the narrative unfolded under the direction of Seth Allen, maintaining its haunting allure.

The Distorted World of Brother and Sister Rat

The play’s setting is an unsettling realm governed by Brother Rat and Sister Rat, where terror and conflict reign supreme. Brother Rat, named Blake, possesses a human form but is cursed with the head of a rodent, while Sister Rat, known as Kay, bears a rat’s belly despite her human visage. In this distorted universe, biblical figures such as Two Wise Men, a Shepherd, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus add layers of surreal observation as Brother Rat and Sister Rat reminisce about their lost innocence, a time untainted by the chaos of "screaming worms and gnawing rats."

Rosemary: The Symbol of Belonging

Central to this maelstrom is Rosemary, an Italian Catholic girl who embodies purity and tradition. Draped in a Communion dress and clutching a catechism book, she represents a world of belonging that Blake and Kay lack. To them, Rosemary is an emblem of beauty and hope, leading them to commit an unsettling act of incest as a testament to Brother Rat’s devotion to her. This disturbing event occurs on a playground slide, with the siblings swearing secrecy on their father’s Bible and Rosemary’s catechism, binding them in a pact of silence.

The Collapse of Innocence

The dire consequences of their actions soon unravel, as Sister Rat’s pregnancy and subsequent mental breakdown lead to her hospitalization. Upon her recovery and return, the desperate siblings implore Rosemary for salvation and forgiveness. But Rosemary dismisses their pleas, coldly suggesting suicide as their penance, urging them to use their father’s shotgun. This cruel rejection intensifies their yearning for the innocence they have squandered.

Descent Into Despair

The procession of biblical figures ultimately abandons the siblings, whose transformation into ratlike creatures becomes more pronounced. Brother Rat grapples with denial, refusing to shoulder the responsibility for his transgressions, instead clinging to the belief that another is to blame for Sister Rat’s condition. His inner turmoil is a struggle between his protective instincts towards his sister and his infatuation with Rosemary.

The Tragic Denouement

The play reaches its harrowing conclusion as the noise of gnawing rats and the chaotic crescendo of battle overwhelm the scene. The biblical procession returns, now morphed into a menacing force resembling Nazis wielding shotguns. In a tragic twist, they execute Brother Rat and Sister Rat, leaving Rosemary untouched, as a stark reminder of innocence corrupted and love betrayed.