The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Unicorn Theatre, London SE1
5 stars

DIRECTED by Amy Leach, with a rich and powerful translation by Frank McGuinness, this visually arresting production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle is unmissable.

Written by Bertholt Brecht in 1944, when he was in exile from the nazis, it recounts the “nature v nurture” parable of maidservant Grusha who rescues a governor’s abandoned child during a bloody civil war and becomes a better mother than his wealthy natural parents in the process.

A sequence of short tableaux shows Grusha’s escape through the mountains as she flees the soldiers to save the young heir, finally leading her to accept marriage with a supposedly dying peasant to provide the child with a roof over his head.

The story culminates with the judgement of Azdak, humorously portrayed by Nabil Shaban, who in typically Brechtian fashion turns concepts of ruling-class justice on their head, accepting bribes from the rich and giving justice to the poor because he “always helped those with nothing to get away with everything.”

In the original Chinese play which Brecht used as a source, the birth mother gains custody of the child but Brecht, who often put the plight of women centre stage, turns nature’s laws on its head.

To demonstrate that Grusha is the true mother, the child is placed in a chalk circle and both Grusha and the governor’s wife are required to pull on its arms.

If they tear the child apart, they will get “half each” — such is Azdak’s justice. “I reared him, I can’t pull him apart!” Grusha declares and Azdak rules that she is the true mother.

Brecht adds a socialist twist to the play’s conclusion, with Azdak confiscating the estates of the governor’s wife so they can be transformed into a children’s garden.

Greatly influenced by Marxist dialectics, this play perfectly demonstrates Brecht’s theory and practise of epic theatre.

His masterly montage of dialogue, songs, tableaux and devices such as props used visibly, costumes on display in the background and songs and chants break up dramatic illusion to  encourage the audience’s focus on issues of social justice.

There’s a memorable example of this in the poignant song sung by storyteller and musician Dom Coyote as the two women fight over the child, reminding the audience of Grusha’s anger at the injustice of her fate.

Yet, contrary to perceptions that Brecht’s plays make no emotional connection with the audience, there are many moving scenes, as when Grusha meets soldier Simon Chachava (a touching performance by Caleb Frederick) by the river who declares his love and commitment to her.

This politically nuanced play was very well received by a young audience, who no doubt related to the contemporary references such as terrorist soldiers, an iPod and contemporary costumes.

In my view, these add little to a production performed by an outstanding cast, with Kiran Sonia Sawar giving a memorably spirited portrayal of Grusha.

An excellent production of an exceptional play.

Runs until March 21, box office: www.unicorntheatre.com.