The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Abstract

This reworking of the traditional Chalk Circle theme was written in March to June 1944 in Santa Monica, California, with a New York production in mind: the actress Luise Rainer had been instrumental in getting Brecht a contract with a Broadway theatre. Alterations were made in July and August, the prologue was recast in September. The first performance was however not until 1948, when a student production took place in Northfield, Minnesota; the first professional performance was on 7 October 1954, when Brecht, assisted by Manfred Wekwerth, put it on in the Berliner Ensemble. Angelika Hurwicz played Grusha, Ernst Busch the Singer and Azdak, Helene Weigel the Governor’s Wife. Exported to Paris in 1955, London in 1956, and Moscow in 1957, this production played a major part in establishing Brecht’s reputation abroad. Both Hanns Eisler and Paul Dessau have written music for the play; Dessau’s (1953–4) is that used by the Berliner Ensemble. This is the most-performed Brecht play in Great Britain (443 productions up to October 1976).¹