I wasn’t really sure what to expect of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, because I didn’t know what the play was about. I did have knowledge of Bertolt Brecht, however, as I had studied some of his techniques in my drama lessons at school.
In the play, a kingdom is torn apart by war, and the royal family, including the baby prince, have to evacuate immediately. Unfortunately, his mother leaves him behind… and the serving girl, Grusha, (Kiran Sonia Sawar) decides to take the prince into her care.
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. It had all of Brecht’s methods in it, and was well directed. The director, Amy Leach, managed to take a play that is nearly 60 years old and make it relevant and understandable to the younger generation. For instance, there was a reference to terrorism when the king was beheaded. The only part I would have improved was the first part of the second act, when there were two different court cases to prove the injustice of law. I was quite confused, and thought it could have been explained more clearly.
My favourite actor was Emily Wachter – she was so versatile, and played around three parts, but you could barely notice because she changed the way she stood, and sounded. The music by Dom Coyote was really cool.
I would definitely recommend students my age to go and see this play, because it shows how different life would have been, and what Grusha gave up for the sake of the baby.
Review by Astrid Finlay