The Caucasian Chalk Circle

by Bertolt Brecht. The original German title is Der kaukasische Kreidekreis, and it is a reworking of Brecht's earlier short story, Der Augsburger Kreidekreis. Both the story and the play are based on the 14th-century Chinese play Circle of Chalk by Li Xingdao.

A parable about a peasant girl who rescues a baby and becomes a better mother than its wealthy natural parents.

Written in Santa Monica (USA) in 1944/45, translated into English by Eric Bentley and had its world première at Carleton College, Minnesota, in 1948. The first professional production was at the Hedgerow Theatre, Philadelphia, directed by Bentley and the German première was in 1954 at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm, Berlin.

Performance history in South Africa

One of the first productions of the Serpent Players (1964?), directed by Athol Fugard and featuring Nomhle Nkonyeni as Aniko. ****

Produced and directed by Fred Engelen with students of the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department in the late 1960s.

Directed by David Haynes in the Little Theatre, Cape Topwn, with Owen Sejake as Azdak, September 1986.

Translations and adaptations

An Afrikaans translation by Johann van Heerden from the original German, entitled Die Kaukasiese Krytsirkel, was done by students of the Drama Department at Stellenbosch University in 1973. Directed by Van Heerden.