The drama should have been kept on the stage.

    Nestled in an outline suburb of greater Boston area sits a first class university many heard of but seldom recall when listing top universities they know (of), Brandeis University. Not to be out done by bigger named schools, Brandies has an apparent growing list of campus controversies since the infamous Ford Hall episode. The latest involves a student production of "And Then There Were None" based upon the Agatha Christie mystery novel. Four out of the five scheduled shows were cancelled in response to concerns brought to the attention to the student production by the Afro/Afro-American Studies Department et. al.. To my understanding, the crux of the controversy was the go-forth attitude of the students continuing to put on the stage production in spite of AAAS making the students aware of the original 'offensive' language used in the adapted stage text. (Aside, in a post-performance townhall forum, the student director in charge defended their actions by citing the repeated offers to cancel performance in the interest of others but never heard explicit response from either faculty or administration about that option. Having paid for the scripts, rights to perform, and the rehearsal efforts, the performance continued. Cited by other students were extenuating circumstances that are intrinsic to the bureaucratic nature unique to Brandies.)

    I read the original Christie novel back when I was 13 or 14 years old. Then, I was unphased by the use of the -- spoilers . . . verboten ’N-word'. (In the same forementioned forum, a Jewish survivor pointed out the anti-Semitic content in the opening sections of the novel.) In 2012, I re-read the mystery, a modern edited version something like a Penguin or Bantan Classics which included an introduction and afterward addressing the title changes and rhyme line changes. All interesting to know in my perspective but hardly a distraction from the mystery story. I have watched three difference cinematic adaptions including, to date, last year's BBC mini-series. Knowing the conclusion, I am curious as to how each adaption chooses to change or not change who the killer is.

     I enjoyed the Brandeis production which, following the scripts they purchased, was loyal to the original outcome. I did not mind the gender swap, that matches the current Progressive social/cultural trend cf. Parker Posey playing Dr. Smith in the Netflix reboot of "Lost in Space". I agree with the decision to excise a particular offensive line in the original play so as not to offend potential African (-American) student audience members, myself included. The change was sound and did not effect neither the play, the performance, nor the aesthetics in any way.

    What I did not enjoy was the post-performance -- pre-bows, mind you -- apology tour in which each performer addressed their disgust (at the racism & genderism) in the character they played adding their supposed nuance interpretation with the performance emendations that intended to highlight said character flaws. In an academic setting, I favour the practice of having said post-performance forum to solicit discussion about the play's racist undertones and implicit genderism. That is being academic. What I cannot abide is the preamble hysterics surrounding the production that resulted in the cancellation of all but one performance and 'trigger' warnings and social reflection on the play that distracted one from enjoying the performance as is.

     Let me add one bit that I include as a dig toward those who self-identify or align themselves with Leftist interests. During the forum, one Jewish (surprise, surprise) student who identified themselves as 'Liberal' [Leftist] remarked on the 'illiberal' approach made by AAAS feeds fuel to the Right-wing demonization of the [Left]. He does not want to be apart of a group of whose tactics alienate some of the very people who sympathize with their cause. I mention this especially because in a recent email exchange I had with a Jewish, Leftist friend, I had to explain to him Trump's presidential victory and his supporters does not imply they are all racist, bigoted, homophobes who want the USA to return to the lily-White halcyon days of the 1950s. Let me take this moment to quote my reply.