The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, April 6 (From The Argus)

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, April 6

11:17am Monday 11th April 2011 in Stage Reviews By Barrie Jerram

Bertolt Brecht’s morality play poses the question – who has the greater claim to ownership – the person who creates something or the one that cares for it?

It tells of a dispute over agricultural land and the attempt to resolve the argument via the performance of a play within the play.

Following an uprising, Grusha, a kitchen maid, takes care of the State Governor’s baby when his wife flees to save her own skin. Grusha encounters many dangers in seeking safety for the child, culminating in a trial before a drunken judge, Azdak, to decide who has the right to the child – the mother by nature or the mother by nurture.

Blackeyed Theatre’s production has many fine qualities, but there are some that irritate. An overuse of music, song and video projections does nothing to enhance the play. Much of the dirgelike singing is done by the narrator, and when it advances the story it is fine, but often it meanders and holds up the action. Likewise, the projections call for a cumbersome piece of equipment to be manhandled into position.

However the production is saved by its five talented cast members who are required to play multi roles as well as provide their own musical accompaniment.

Paul Taylor narrates the story as well as popping up in various comic roles and Anna Glynn makes a feisty Grusha prepared to sacrifice all, including love, for the sake of the child.

Lee Drage and Greg Patmore ably present a gallery of characters, as does Ruth Cataroche, but I was disappointed that she is asked to play the drunken judge, Azdak. She lacks the essential lascivious bawdiness of the character.