Product Description

Brecht projects an ancient Chinese story onto a realistic setting in Soviet Georgia. In a theme that echoes the Judgment of Solomon, two women argue over the possession of a child; thanks to the unruly judge, Azdak (one of Brecht's most vivid creations) natural justice is done and the peasant Grusha keeps the child she loves, even though she is not its mother. Written in exile in the United States during the Second World War, The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a politically-charged, much-revived and complex example of Brecht's epic theatre.This volume contains expert notes on the author's life and work, historical and political background to the play, photographs from stage productions and a glossary of difficult words and phrases.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11457 in Books
• Published on: 1984-07-12
• Original language: German
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

About the Author
Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) is acknowledged as one of the great dramatists whose plays, work with the Berliner Ensemble and writing have had a considerable influence on the theatre. His landmark plays include The Threepenny Opera and, while exiled from Germany and living in the USA, such masterpieces as The Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

Customer Reviews

Much misunderstood
The greatest mistake people make when reading 'Caucasian Chalk Circle', one that I used to do, is to ignore or underestimate Scene 1. When reading this play, this is where your focus should lie. It displays Brecht's desire to 'alienate' the audience. The content is very relevant to the present day,if the real content is properly explored. You will be hard pushed to find a work by Brecht that better displays his concept of Verfrumdungseffekt, that shows how his ideas have transcended into the common usage of contemporary theatre.

Without wanting to give the plot away, by removing the first scene, this play is turned into nothing more than a fairytale, which completely undermines what Brecht was trying to achieve. Retain your objectivity, and you will find this play full of miscarriages of justice, representations of the effects of war. Engage in how easy it is to compromise and salvage goodness from terrible situations. And don't trust Grusha for a second...!

One of Brechts greatest works.
As one of Brechts greatest works it is easy to assume that it has only one message to teach, but when close study of the book is undertaken, each character appears to have their own message which the audience/reader should pick up, perhaps it's time for you to try this story!

Help on CCC
i am studying the anti-naturalism in the Caucasian Chalk Circle compared to the naturalism in Strindbergs - Miss Julie!!! what do you guys think of the aspect of anti-naturalism in CCC? i think the Caucasian Chalk Circle is a very good example of anti-naturalism in Drama. i dont think you will find any playwright who can write a play based completely on anti-naturalism like Brecht. his idea of separating the audience from the play itself makes it a very successfull play!