Caucasian Chalk Circle
Towards the end of the Michaelmas I, along with many Ardinians and parents had the privilege of being in the audience at this year's production of 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' - a new version adapted and directed by Mr Jonathan Caldicot and set to music by Mr Darren Jameson. Like many members of the Ardinian community I don't have much time to get to the theatre during term time so when Brecht hit the stage live at Ardingly, I wasn't going to miss the chance to enjoy watching the acting talents of Ardinians from all years on stage.
The cast was led by Lauren Martin (as Grusha), Tim Bradbeer (as the Narrator) and Sam Masters as Azdak. The play tells the story of Grusha, a young peasant women who rescues a baby of blue blood during a revolution and begins a long journey to keep it safe. The playwright highlights the plight of the poor do-gooder, the corruption of the legal system and the question of who should take charge in such cases in court.
I thoroughly enjoyed this very new and exciting interpretation of Brecht's difficult modern classic. Lauren Martin kept up the pace with clearly delivered lines as each carefully choreographed scene was short, snappy, intimate and full of suspense. The cast had us in their hands as after each interchange, speech or soliloquy, the audience was enticed and desperate to know what would happen next. Tim Bradbeer courageously kept his audience engaged with the plots and subplots that were cleverly brought to life by original Russian war footage (on high suspended TV screens above the set) and music in the old 'folk song' style/tradition kept the audience emotionally engaged. This snapshot of cultural authenticity struck a chord in the emotions of the audience, bringing home the plight of the wretched main protagonist.
Other bridging techniques, such as the 'yurt' (a circle on the ground where stories were told by mouth) and the bamboo bridge literally made the play appear seamlessly smooth and connect each sequence effortlessly. A strong group of lads led by Josh Williams, Will Warwick and Jack Harrison in Vth kept the bridge suspended on their shoulders as Lauren crossed the stage into another literary abyss of time and space, not knowing what her plight would be next or who she would meet. John Gibson and Dan Osborn played hilarious roles with careful wit, colour and with a dryness of irony as they exposed the corruption and injustice of officials high up in the governing ranks of society. I thought them marvellous, if a little spooky…..a mirror reflecting even our own times? It certainly caused me to re-think my opinions on Brecht, having studied the play for A-Level German at school myself.
We had a wonderful night and well done and thank you to all involved for a great night at the theatre.
Mr H Thomson
