Blackeyed Theatre | Culture Compass

Culture Most Wanted.

Home » Performance » The Caucasian Chalk Circle

The Caucasian Chalk Circle

15 April 2011 by Lauren Razavi

Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a play I’ve been in love with since GCSE Drama – a good few years indeed. The Blackeyed Theatre’s visit to Norwich Playhouse for their take on the play was therefore a perfect way to spend an evening. And I wasn’t the only one who thought so, judging from the packed auditorium for the first night of a trio of performances.

Centred on the story of a child abandoned by his governess mother and then raised by one of her servants, the play explores a deep kind of morality in the context of social ethics and the legal system. Heart-wrenchingly performed, the play’s resonance and message hold strong in modern times, despite The Caucasian Chalk Circle being over fifty years old now.

Showcasing just five actors in the myriad of roles, the potential restrictions of a small ensemble were handled with a skilled grace. The exceptional Ruth Cataroche whose main role was as twisted moral judge Azdak – a role usually undertaken by a man in this play – gave a phenomenal and utterly convincing performance, as did the beautiful Anna Glynn in playing the two central roles of Grusha the servant mother and stuck-up governess Natella Abashvili. The multi-faceted Paul Taylor made an extraordinary singing narrator as his main role, and both Lee Drage and Greg Patmore were quite flawless in their manifold roles in this play.

The Blackeyed group’s production emphasises music, using instruments and song to fuse together scenes and storylines effortlessly. Director Tom Neill and Musical Director/Composer Ron McAllister have worked hard to incorporate the musical element into this wordy story in an admirably organic way. It feels completely natural to watch, and provides the play with an interesting and enchanting feel.

But, at times, it was a struggle to hear the actors above the music, which is the only criticism of this otherwise compelling production. This blip was an unwelcome reminder that you were sitting in a theatre watching a play, and spoiled somewhat the escapism of the experience.

Nevertheless, this was an impressive interpretation of an ever-relevant story, and I’ll definitely be heading out to see the upcoming Oh What A Lovely War interpreted by this talented troupe.

The Black-Eyed Theatre Group are currently touring The Caucasian Chalk Circle. For details of dates and venues visit www.blackeyedtheatre.co.uk