Sri Lanka - The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Updated - 17/12/2008 - DailyNews.
Many could not help but be fascinated by Henry Jayasena’s version of Bertolt Brecht’s evergreen stage play, ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ which starred Manel Jayasena as the delightful Grusha and Henry himself as Azdak.
Now students of THIDORA (Theatre Institute for Disability Oriented Research and Advocacy), the communication and Theatre Arts Workshop which conducts theatre workshops for the disabled and disadvantaged youth free of charge, will launch their version of the universally acclaimed stage play at the Punchi Theatre, Borella, on December 19 at 6.45 p.m.
This version of the play is the brainchild of Rohana Deva Perera, its director while Ramani Damayanthi acts as the choreographer. Around 16 members of THIDORA are included in the cast of the play which promises to shed a new light to the drama.
"We noted that the ’The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ comprises two stories which blend together at the end. The first tale relates Grusha’s plight while the second centers on Azdak. Our plot pin points on this aspect and we have derived a different version to the play by bringing this aspect to focus," director Rohana Deva commented.
Both Grusha’s and Azdak’s stories sprig up in a Caucasian city ruled by a Governor who serves as a Grand Duke. The Governor’s wife, Natella, becomes incredible jealous of their newborn, Michael, who was taking up most of the attention of his father. Meanwhile the Governer’s brother, the Fat Prince, stages an insurrection.
He kills the Governor and Natella takes flight leaving baby Michael behind. Grusha, a kitchen maid who was engaged to a soldier named Simon takes Michael in her care. She saves the child from the Fat Prince and his allies and flees the city. She has a few close shaves on her way to safety but guard the child with her life.
Grusha who had taken shelter under her brother’s hut finds herself forcefully married to the "dying" man, Jussup. During the wedding reception they learn that the war is over and the Grand Duke, who had not met death at the hands of the Fat Prince, had rised to power yet again.
Though this was joyful news, it came too late for Grusha who is already married to a man she does not love. Simon, who comes searching for her learns that she is already married and mistakes Michael for Grusha’s child. Soon a pack of soldiers arrive to take away Michael back to his parents.
Heartbroken, Grusha follows them. Azdak’s story unfolds on the night of the insurrection. Fearing that he will be mistaken for a traitor, Azdak reveals that he is the one who had saved the Governor’s life. The soldiers refuse to believe him though he was given his freedom. The Fat Prince enters the scene and lets the soldiers choose the new judge. In a mock trial, Azdak was chosen for the position.
He then judges four unusual cases in which he rules each in favour of the poor. When the Grand Duke returns he recognises Azdak as the man who saved him and thereby prevents him form being seized and branded a traitor. Azdak, reappointed as the judge, takes on the case of Grusha and the child.
Natella wantes the child back for the sole purpose of winning the Governor’s estates while Grusha was unable to let go of the emotional bond she had developed for the child after taking care of him for two years. With Simon by her side, she begs for the child, relating how lovingly she had raised him throughout the years.
Azdak orders a Chalk Circle to be drawn, places the babe in the middle and asks each of the women to take hold of the child from either side and pull him out of the circle. Whoever succeeds can claim the child. Grusha lets go of the child each time for she finds it unbearable to hurt the child.
Azdak realises this and gives Michael to Grusha while ordering her to divorce Jussup and marry Simon. He also confiscates Michael’s estates and turns into public gardens before taking leave. THIDORA had staged the first production of this drama in 1990 before making a comeback this year with some new faces.
Kumara Thirimadura who had recently emerged as a cinema actor with productions like Machan and the Ekamath Eka Ratake, which is slotted for release, was a part of the first production and will also be included in the 2008 cast. You too can be a part of the audience and get an insight to this project as it lightens up the sets at the Punchi Theatre.
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