THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLEAND

HISTORICAL ALIENATION

Prologue sets in 1945 Story goes back to 1000 years ago Prologue takes place in Azerbaijan Story comes from China

“Delegate: Will it be one of the old legend?

Singer: A very old one. It’s called ‘The Chalk Circle’ and comes from China. But we’ll do it, of course, in changed version.” (CCC, 25)

CAPTIONS

A narrator , an actor or somebody else

“Singer”

Tells the story of the scene beforehand

Links, comments on, interpret the events

“Singer: Hear the story of judgeHow he turned judge, how he passed judgement, what kind of judge he was.On that Easter Sunday of the great revolt, when the Grand Duke was overthrownAnd his Governor Abashwili, father of our child, lost his headThe Village Scrievener Azdak found a fugitive in the woods and hid him in his hut.” (CCC, 85)

LANGUAGE

Different from daily language Allusion, quotation, third-person

statement in first-person form Witty style oxymoronic formulations,

clichés, proverbs, paradox, metaphors“Simon: A good morning to the young lady.

I hope she is well.

Grusha: A good morning to the soldier. God be

thanked he has returned in good health.” (CCC, 80)

MUSIC & SONG

Hegel & Marx philosophy Shakespeare in his plays

chorus“Chorus: How will this human child escape

The bloodhounds, the trap-setters?

Into the deserted mountains she journeyed

She sang a song, she bought some milk.” (CCC, 47)

Music from background Song of a character

“THE SONG OF ROTTEN BRIDGEDeep is the abyss, son,I see the weak bridge swayBut it’s not for us, son, To choose the way.

The way I knowIs the one you must tread,And all you will eatIs my bid of bread.

Of every four piecesYou shall have three Would that I knewHow big they will be!” (CCC, 60)

STAGE DESIGN & COSTUMES

STAGE DESIGN Bare stage Selected properties Door frame or window house

COSTUMES Masken make up & masks High class full-face, hard material Low class partly covered, flexible

material