Character profile: Alastair Ryle

Sam Claflin as Alastair in the film adaptation,
'The Riot Club', 2014

Alastair Ryle undergoes the biggest transformation in 'Posh'. Starting the play as a quiet, socially awkward undergraduate with dreams of become a Conservative MP, he is soon discovered by members of the Riot Club and given admission due to him being brother of the legendary Seb Ryle. Over the course of his first dinner with the club, Ryle slowly reveals the true extent of his Right Wing stance and his hatred of the middle class, believing that his right to act as he pleases has been snatched by a conglomerate of people who adhere to pretend to be civil and act above their "place". He soon spirals out of control, viciously beating the owner of the gastropub and being arrested for the attack. However, it is revealed that friends in high places have lead to his being all but pardoned, a wary allusion to the true power of the establishment

Background
Alastair is always in his brother's shadow. Sebastian Ryle was president of the Riot Club during his time at Oxford, and is known by the current members as something of a legend. Alastair attended Harrow, Seb attended Eton. In societies like the Club, Harrow is looked upon as second rate. Alastair has a deep rooted resentment for his brother and all that he has achieved, which drives him to prove himself as stronger, more able, and more riotous than his kin.

Social Setting
'Posh' was written and first performed in the run up to the 2010 election. The leader of the Conservative party, David Cameron, as well as senior members George Osbourne and Boris Johnson were both members of the Bullingdon Club, remarkably similar to the fictional club in the play. If the play is set when written, this gives strong evidence as to why the boys and Alistair are so self assured that they as club members are the rightful heirs to the thrones of government, with such senior figures as past associates. They would serve as the ultimate role models, providing the boys with far from needed ego boosts that skyrocket them into a world in which it truly is acceptable to disregard all thought for others as long as money can excuse them from the consequences.

Historical
The Club is based on the Bullingdon Club, an Oxford dinner society of male students and scholars that are historically famous for trashing the restaurants they dine in and paying up front for the damages, often in cash. Again, the long history of the club and its prestige due to powerful ex members would explain why Alastair is so drawn to its power and, once he succeeds in getting entry, his subsequent flood of self confidence and arrogance.