The North Pool

by Rajiv Joseph

Khadim has no idea why he's been called into the office of Dr. Danielson, the Vice Principal at Sheffield High. At first, Danielson is cagey, using a minor violation to keep the boy at school for detention. But as tension mounts, Danielson alternately plays good cop and bad, and winds up catching Khadim in a series of lies about crimes he may (or may not) have committed.The truth shifts constantly in this riveting cat-and-mouse thriller from Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. What’s bothering Dr. Danielson? What are the secrets that trouble Khadim? As the semester reaches its final hour, the time for revelation begins. The North Pool is a psychological drama that weaves a timely character study about racial and cultural profiling in America, skillfully using an interrogation to peel away ever more unexpected layers of the characters’ lives as they navigate our increasingly complex society.

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[TopBob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The play is one scene, but a remarkable one at that. The story is incredibly engaging; I found myself engrossed in the mystery of the character motivations.

I suppose some may not like the characters, but they are an important element in the believability of the play, which I found to be a strength. The actual events seem wild and farfetched, but the actual question of accountability and guilt feel tragically real. By the end, I understood exactly what the characters felt.

Only nitpick was that I was picking up on themes of identity and profiling; school pride seemed to parallel nationalism, race and perception were at the forefront. But, by the end, the racial differences seemed to serve instead as a vehicle for a message around understanding one another beyond appearance, which feels mature, but I suspect that I've missed something deeper.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last day of school before spring break...a student is called to the office of the vice-principle...given detention...but there are other issues to talk about...crimes that may have been committed...or is it that the student is middle eastern? A dark psychological drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat - don't think you have it all figured out - taunt and haunting.

[SF Aesthete · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just saw a production. It was a pity the talented team put their energies and resources into this not very good play. It feels heavily padded with blind alleys that contribute time but not emotional or narrative substance to the work. I'm told this is a very good playwright. Couldn't tell.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️s? I kinda liked it? It does a nice job of slowly unveiling the core of the story but it’s 2 pretty unlikeable characters that just make the whole thing feel icky. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rajiv Joseph is one of the best new playwrights. Though I don't think that The North Pool is his best play it still is a solid play.

[Jake Van Hoorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two very unlikeable characters, the ending hints at some growth but doesn’t really go anywhere.

[zz · Rating 2 out of 5]

DANIELSON: You like music, Khadim?
KHADIM: No. I hate music. I hate music and birds and all the things that you love.

[Rachelle Urist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan. This play is a two-hander full of unexpected twists and turns. Rajiv Joseph is a writer of great imagination. He is incisive. He travels swiftly along narrow ledges, moving from point A to Z and daring us to follow. We can't help but do it, and he keeps us safe.

A high school senior and his principal engage in an increasingly risky conversation the hour that the school has emptied out for spring break. it seems, at first, as though the boy is made of sweet innocence, and the principal seems altogether caring and nurturant. As the truth unfolds, new realities emerge. They are disturbing but engrossing, and the play utterly arresting.

I look forward to reading more of Joseph's plays. He is one playwright who deserves the success he's enjoying!

[Jon Hewelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

ReRead 12 September 2023
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I enjoyed the experience.

I question the underlying conflict/motivation between these two characters. I like the dynamic and how it escalates, but the ultimate reason behind everything--why they do what they do and why they're here--feels uncomfortable to me, in both intentional and unintentional ways.

Sorry for being vague. You'll have to read it, cuz what I'm talking around IS core to the play, which makes things difficult. Because it's a good, well-written, engaging play. But that central pillar...something's wrong with it.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a ferociously-good play by one of the best young playwrights at work today. What starts out as confrontation between a vice-principal and a Middle Eastern student that appears to be moving in a rather obvious direction instead takes a dark turn into far more disturbing territory. Joseph is really adept at doling out key information and thus constantly getting us to reevaluate each the characters. I would love to see this staged or, even better, be in it.

[Anne Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved seeing it. Now so excited to read it over again.