Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th November and Tuesday 27th November to Saturday 1st December 2001
Directed by David Penrose
When a mother abandons her child, who steps in? Who would think it worth the risk? Terrible is the temptation to do good.
Brecht's masterpiece tells an epic story. Two years of civil war turn the lives of many upside down. Grusha, the kitchen skivvy and Azdak, the village clerk make their own journeys through the chaos - until they finally meet in a makeshift courtroom. Who takes care of the child abandoned by his mother? Who will take the risk when he has a price on his head? Grusha will... Azdak may let her.
"I do love 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle'... it has so much action and so many parts to play. It allows the Bench to bring all our experience to bear on a rich theatrical masterpiece, using imaginative invention, masks and music, vocal and physical acting skills to populate an epic tale with over fifty characters. The last scene alone is worth the ticket money!" (David Penrose) Director
This lively production has a large cast with each actor playing several roles. The acting is to the Bench's usual high standard and if the performances are as much fun as the rehearsals have been, you are in for a great evening's entertainment!
| Roman Kozachenko 'Romka' | David Penrose |
| Cressida Field | Judy Bodenham |
| Julian Field | Chris Walker |
| Det. Insp. Washbourne | Sharman Callam |
| Det. Const. Mather | Richard Le-Moingan |
| Marian Stone | Sally Hartley |
| Nikita Fedorenko | John Scadding |
| Sister Sophia | Ruth Prior |
| Stage Management | Sam Emery and Mark Wakeman |
| Set Design | Simon Walton |
| Lighting Design | Andrew Caple |
| Lighting Operator | Simon Walton |
The music we hear is from ‘Quartet for the End of Time’, by Olivier Messiaen. It was written at Stalag 8A in Gorlitz, Silesia, where Messiaen was a prisoner of war, and was first performed there in January 1941 by Messiaen and three other prisoners. Also, in Act II, there is music from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, Bei Mannern, welche Liebe Fuhlen and Zum Ziele fuhrt dich diese Bahn
During this production we are able to see the play in its re-written form for the first time. The playwright felt dissatisfied with the original version ending with the powerful clash between the two women. The new version re-focuses the attention on Romka himself and we can leave the theatre puzzling over the implications of his final monologue – and lullaby! Our feeling is that the play is enriched (though still without easy or comfortable answers) in its new form.
Two rival groups try to rebuild their poverty-stricken central Asian country after the ravages of war. Sound familiar?
That's the plot of Bertolt Brecht's classic, which recent events have made even more pertinent. In his play, Georgian farmers settle their differences and remind themselves of the values of dignity and humanity by staging another play. Would that real life was as simple!
This staple of school and college production is in safe hands with Havant's experienced Bench Theatre Company. Director David Penrose has staged the play twice before. It shows in his expert handling of more than 70 characters, umpteen props and dozens of costume changes. He finds solutions to potentially tricky problems of staging scenes next to a glacier, on a creaky bridge and in an attic bedroom.
Each of the ensemble cast of 15 switches effortlessly from character to character, bringing real depth to even the minutest of cameo parts.
Sam Emery's singing voice impressed, as did Ingrid Corrigan as the heroine's mother-in-law and Ruth Prior as a granny.
The original music works well, comic moments are rarely missed, and the pace hardly slackens.
(Review in Portsmouth News by Neil Pugmire)