LU Talent on Display in H-SC Theatre Production

By Chrissy Fahey
Rotunda ReporterThe play was successful: a supportive audience, provocative humor, charming cast and crew were all components of their achievement.

The cast recreated Bertolt Brecht's play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle Saturday" on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a diverse mix of students from both Longwood and Hampden-Sydney. Longwood's talent included senior Joanna Shubert, senior Kristine Bender and freshman Katie Robey.

The play focuses on two main characters, but before their stories are told the play opens to a town meeting. Cast members took the stage, not from behind the curtain, but entering from the audience. Two groups of people began to argue over land distribution. Boring you might think? Far from it. The cast's main characters instantly stood out as they argued with charming appeal.

Only moments later, Matthew Jones, a Hampden-Sydney sophomore appeared on stage, guitar in hand. Jones had been introduced as a guest to the event who will entertain the townsfolk with a story. He began to narrate the story through song. The narration continues throughout the play.

The first act begins by introducing the dismissive governor and wife Natella, followed by two doctors caring for Natella's infant son, Michael. Accompanying the family is the governor's brother, Prince Kazbeki, also known as the "Fat Prince." Unknown to the governor, the prince had arranged a coup to overthrown him. Soon after their entrance, the battle begins and the governor is taken away in chains.

Natella re-enters the stage, panicked over what superficial necessities she must take with her as she flees the town. She and her many servants mistakenly leave her most precious possession, her infant son Michael.

An abrasive, self-serving Natella was played by Bender. Her performance crafted many laughable scenes in which the audience could mock the sheer egotistical nature of the governess.

As Natella flees, Grusha Vachnadze, a worker in the governor's home played by Shubert, stumbles upon the child and decides to care for him.

The seemingly natural motherly instincts of Shubert and her character couldn't help but be noticed by audience members (which included her supportive Alpha Sigma Tau sorority sisters). Her performance was full of emotion as she displayed the character's devoted and selfless nature.

The play's second act focused on Azdak, an ordinary townsman turned judge. Azdak spends his judgment days in favor of the poor. Several actors reappear during this half as townsfolk pleading their case.

Eventually, the second half leads to Grusha and Azdak's meeting. Grusha is tried for allegedly stealing the baby of Governess Natella.

Azdak falters between who should have custody of the child, and in the end he creates a plan to test both mothers' selflessness. He draws a chalk circle on the floor and tells both women whoever can pull the child from the circle will be granted custody. This is done twice, both times resulting in Grusha letting the child go because she does not want to hurt him. Upon seeing this, Azdak declares Grusha the true mother.

"The Caucasian Chalk Circle" would have been nowhere without the talented students from Hampden-Sydney as well. Senior Drake Huzek stood out with suggestive humor. Huzek played the corporal as well as other various characters throughout the play.

Also frequently appearing were actors Carson Wilson playing one of Michael's doctors, Andrew MacIntire playing the Fat Prince and Jayson Brooks playing the governor as well as Azdak's assistant.

Charles Smith, the stoic assistant director, was also a crowd favorite as he apathetically changed title cards after every scene.

In all, the play offered something for everyone, which could be seen by the show's diverse audience. The enjoyable cast will definitely have audiences returning for more.