By BRINTON WILKINS
Brinton@newsroom.byu.edu
With the Department of Theatre and Fine Arts' production of Bertolt Brecht's 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle,' audiences have, once again, the chance to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of BYU's theatrical talent.
From lavish, but stark, scenery, innovative staging and complementary lighting to powerful performances, 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' is infused with a disturbingly entrancing humor, strength and energy.
The play is actually a 'play within a play.' The framework play takes place in a Caucasian town torn apart by World War II. The people of this town then act out the main story.
The first half of the play focuses on the peasant Grusha, played by Amy Barrus, and her struggle to take care of Michael, the abandoned son of the recently deposed governor. Her trials, such as whether or not to marry a dying man so that Michael has a father, force Grusha to face morally ambiguous questions that the audience is left to consider.
The second half of the play is about how the peasant Azdac, played by Ary Farahnakian, rose to be judge over the land.
The final conflict of the play comes when Michael's biological mother, who returns after two years away, and Grusha go to Azdac's court to determine who will keep Michael. The winner is determined by the test of the chalk circle.
The story is a critique of modern sociological and political thought, particularly Nazism. It raises the issues of class conflict, personal conduct during wartime, family solidarity, justice and loyalty, and ends with a decidedly Marxist resolution.
The play confronts disturbing issues. Grusha is almost raped, a man is hanged and Grusha's husband abuses her, all on stage. These moments, while disturbing, are handled tactfully and are vital to the story.
The acting is, with few exceptions, professional caliber. Barrus and Farahnakian turn in moving multi-faceted performances. Barrus' tender characterization and Farahnakian's sarcastic cynicism glistened against the gallows-like scaffolding surrounding them on stage.
At times the large cast was distracting. During the panic-filled early scenes many lines were lost because of the sounds of running feet and screaming voices. Shouting and rapid delivery made it difficult to understand the beginning three scenes.
The scenery, staging, costuming and lighting complemented the play's themes by directing focus to the story, not the theatrics. Wooden scaffolding on a bare stage conjures up images of concentration camps. The circular stage, together with the lighting, focuses the audience's attention on the relevant action. The costumes are simple, and masks help to differentiate between the classes of people portrayed in the play.
This production is one that will leave you thinking. While it is a drama, it is hopeful and humorous. If you are looking for theater that is engaging and new, go experience it.
Directed by David Morgan, 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' is single-cast and will play through Feb.26 in the Pardoe Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the HFAC ticket office and cost $10 for general public and $8 for students.