REVIEW: The Caucasian Chalk Circle at The Rose Theatre Kingston

During a violent and bloody revolution. Grusha Vashnadze (Carrie Hope Fletcher) finds herself thrust into motherhood unexpectedly. The governor has been killed, his spouse fled and she or he’s left behind the new child child. As time goes on and Grusha grows seemingly extra hooked up to the boy offering for him as her personal, the eventual return of the governor’s spouse years later demanding her little one be returned to her causes turmoil, it’s as much as the unconventional choose Azdak (Jonathon Slinger) to show the justice system on its head with the assistance of the Chalk Circle. 

With Steve Waters’ new adaption comes a number of modifications to it, a contact of modernity so to talk. In this model, the ensemble all play refugees, visited by The Singer (Zoe West) whose going to carry out a play (you guessed it, the Caucasian Chalk Circle) to which they’re all going to play characters inside the story while the singer narrates. It’s an fascinating take and a recent concept from Waters. Though some concepts simply appear repetitive and uninventive. The musical interludes the singer performs to relate the present and assist transfer it alongside develop into tedious and finally lose the curiosity of the viewers. 

The actors multi-roll the various characters all through the story, although some characters seem to really feel considerably gimmicky, panto-esque nearly. Whether that’s the Intention of waters’ new adaption of director Christopher Haydon’s creative alternative we’ll by no means know, you simply couldn’t assist however really feel barely confused, every time the characters tried to be dramatic it come throughout as comical. 

Though reward does need to go to the actors themselves, no matter they’ve been given to carry out and selections to carry out they’ve performed a incredible job of it. There’s completely little question the multi-rollers decide to the characters 100 and ten current. Fletcher, usually of musical theatre stardom makes a powerful efficiency as Grusha. Fletcher captures the maternal and mild aspect of Grusha however exhibits an admirable vulnerability. As for her brother Lavrenti (Shiv Rabheru) he’s a joyous addition to the solid, every of his characters is at all times a focus within the ensemble, a totally convincing and pleasing efficiency to observe.

The actual disgrace, nevertheless, is Jonathon Slinger and his Azdak, for an nearly 3-hour play, slinger was Introduced with below an hour left feeling nearly too late. By this level, you’re questioning what might be performed to shake issues up. Then alongside comes a breath of recent air within the type of Slingers’ literary choose Azdak. A commanding presence on stage that instantly upon introduction takes centre stage. A humorous but partaking efficiency all through. 

Make no mistake, even making an attempt Bertolt Brecht is tough, a lot much less utterly modernising it. So hats off to Waters and Haydon for what they’ve created, an fascinating tackle the traditional that has moments of ingenuity however in the end you possibly can’t assist however query what’s so improper with doing the unique. 

Review by George Butler

Rating: ★★★

Seat: Stalls K54 | Price of Ticket: £35