The Caucasian Chalk Circle (London) London Reviews and Tickets

74%

(7 Ratings)

Positive

86%

Mixed

Negative

14%

Members say

Clever, Great singing, Great acting, Great staging, Confusing

About the Show

Carrie Hope Fletcher stars in Steve Waters' adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's morality tale.

A fight breaks out in a refugee camp. To seek a resolution, a singer tells the fable of ‘The Chalk Circle’: the story of a servant girl who, in the midst of a revolution, risks all to raise the abandoned child of the Governor and his wife. Years later, when the Governor’s wife returns seeking her son, a rogue judge turns justice on its head.

Written by acclaimed German playwright, Bertolt Brecht. His epic drama about justice and mankind was first produced in English in 1948. Brecht's other notable works include 'The Threepenny Opera' and 'Life of Galileo'.

Adapted for the stage by Steve Waters ('Limehouse', 'Temple'). This production is recommended for ages 12+.

Show-Score Member Reviews (7)

80%

Exquisite, Great staging, Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Great singing

See it if you enjoy a clever adaptation of a Brecht favourite with multi-purpose sets, quality vocals and a thought-provoking plot.

Don't see it if you cannot tolerate a 90-minute Act 1, certain dragged moments and the requirement of a historical background knowledge to some degree.

70%

Slow, Great singing, Great staging, Clever

See it if Good performances and something a little different.

Don't see it if You don't like long-winded plays

43%

Ok, Dated, Confusing, Cliched, Banal

See it if you like brecht

Don't see it if if you want a good version

89%

Intense, Great writing, Great acting, Great staging, Clever

See it if You wanna see a complicated story told well

Don't see it if You dont like plays

80%

Profound, Great singing, Great acting, Intelligent, Clever

See it if It was good to see Brecht on stage, the music was good and it was funny in places.

Don't see it if While there was music don't expect it to be a musical.

85%

Thought-provoking, Great singing, Great acting, Absorbing, Clever

See it if You enjoy plays about historical events and want to experience a different style of theatre. Carrie Hope Fletcher stuns in this production

Don't see it if You prefer glitzy musicals although it's good to watch different styles or you don't want to sit through 3 hour show Read more

81%

Confusing, Delightful, Clever, Entertaining, Enchanting

See it if You like plays and are really interesting

Don't see it if You don’t like plays

Critic Reviews (6)

"A boisterous energy from the outset. Performers swap fluidly between roles, trying out postures and gestures whenever they depict a new persona for the first time."
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"It all might seem serious on the surface, it is also full of laugh out loud funny moments, with witty lines and visual gags providing a firm balance to the tragedy that is unfolding before our eyes."
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"Rose Theatre can mount its own production of a monument of Brechtian theatre, it’s disappointing to discover that it’s so tough to love. It really doesn’t have to be this hard. "
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"Christopher Haydon’s production never achieves the giddy heights that are promised."
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“Running at nearly three hours, the show ultimately feels a bit bloated.”
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"This is digestible Brecht that will no doubt appeal to the legions of Fletcher fans that I'm sure will be flocking to the Rose."
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Trailer

Creative team

Rose Theatre Kingston