The Niceties

by Eleanor Burgess

At an elite East Coast university, an ambitious young black student and her esteemed white professor meet to discuss a paper the college junior is writing about the American Revolution. They’re both liberal. They’re both women. They’re both brilliant. But very quickly, discussions of grammar and Google turn to race and reputation, and before they know it, they’re in dangerous territory neither of them had foreseen – and facing stunning implications that can’t be undone.

Genres: Plays, Race

72 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw it done live on a Boston stage when it first came out and looking it over again I really think it's a neglected masterpiece. Netflix or whateverr has to put out a filmed version of this play. It would spark a lot of discussion.

The subtle, nuanced character studies in this two hander both support and critique each character's conscious and unconscious assumptions and puts its rhetorical finger right into the raw, beating heart of what we talk about when we talk about the debates about power, race, history, academia, and political correctness (which is what they used to call it back in the day, now it's woke and whatever else).

[Erin Hassenstab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the 2nd of 3 scripts I read for class. This was also a quick read, and easy to follow since there’s only 2 characters. It’s a fantastic look at how racial power comes into play, and I found myself taking a hard look at thoughts that have crossed my mind in the past. I think so many people could see themselves on at least one side of this story, and it’s a great way to ease into critical examinations of privilege and power.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

WT performed this play a few months ago, and while it sounded interesting, I didn't get a chance to see it. However I did read the script and I'm glad I did. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it. What (and who) make history, privilege, gender, and the generation gap collide during two short acts.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work since the theatre I work at is going to be doing a play reading of this online.

It was interesting. I really liked the character development and the story itself. It seems like it will translate to the stage much better than just reading it, though. I want to be able to see it to fully grasp the beauty of the words written.

[Eliana Lazzara · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could get in a physical altercation with the personification of a system it would be higher education.

[Claire Gratto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both seeing this play live and reading it changed my life. Burgess creates PEOPLE that will have your jaw on the floor in this piece. Wow. It still gives me chills thinking about it.

[Melina]

Need to re-read/watch. Didn’t hit for me at the time but saw it as a zoom play with fake backgrounds so idk if that made it feel unfairly stilted.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One must read plays one has been cast in!

[uh lee suh · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow

[Cindy DavisClark · Rating 4 out of 5]

first time for reading a play

[Tom Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself, for this is a taut and tangled ride. Race, gender, privilege: how do we interpret the past and the present and who gets to tell the story. Ms. Burgess has done an incredible balancing act to demonstrate how we're not always right, not always wrong, just relentlessly human. A little humility would help us remember that we can be wrong and, just as important, that we can be generous to others when they are wrong.