Drama

The competitions were judged by Mr. G. A. Costain, B.Mus., F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., who came over from Scarborough for the occasion.

A.B.M.

THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE (Play performed by IIIrd and IVth Forms only)

The Caucusus is the exotic setting for the play. Much is left to the imagination, stimulated by the storyteller, Hunt, who, dressed like a geni, enfolds us in the legend with resonant voice.

The first act shows a high-born but abandoned babe, fostered by a servant-girl, Grusha. Brecht has deliberately drawn a trite situation to contrast with what follows. Beadnall is a sensitive Grusha; there is real compassion when she abandons self-interest, and jeopardises the love of Simon to protect the babe. Lucas, as Simon, underplays with telling effect.

The second act brings a far more subtle character, Azdak, a rascal whose soul is nonetheless touched with greatness. When forced by the soldiery to be a judge, his paradoxical verdicts are a triumph for Humanity over iron Law. Young, as Azdak, is sly and surly, fawning and unpredictable; he is a success in the difficult part. He does not always draw a clear line between the ego and the id, between the buffoon and the inspired judge. However, he does do so, with pause and change of expression, before his verdict. Well done!

Fate brings Grusha and Azdak together when he judges her case. The plaintiff is the natural mother, Natella, whose callousness Rivers captures with steely voice and eye.

Azdak's judgment reverses that of Solomon or of Chinese Tradition. Now it is the foster mother who proves compassionate and deserves the child. It is subtle, but we know that this is justice.

Naturally, every young actor is not polished, but they are all vital: Macartney and Warnock as blistering military men; Drucquer indecisive and Tasker a shrew; Bowen portentous and Dempsey dilatory; all the others, the beefy ironshirts, the beggars and peasants, for this evening belong in this colourful, gimcrack country.

It has all been great fun. J .P.R

THE THIRD AND FOURTH FORMS OF ST. PETER'S SCHOOL present THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE by Bertolt Brecht Wednesday and Thursday, 18th and 19th June, 1969. CAST The Story Teller Graham Hunt Governor Georgi Abershwili John Hudson Natella Abashwili, his wife ... Peter Rivers The Adjutant ... Gavin Warnock Prince Kazbeki Neil Bowen

22

The Messenger Doctors

Simon Shashava Grusha Vashnadze The Cook The Corporal Lavrenti, Grusha's brother Aniko, his wife Michael Abashwili Azdak, the village scrivener, later a Judge Shauwa, the village policeman, later Public prosecutor ... Bizergan Kazbeki Lawyers

Ironshirts

Beggars and Servants

Peasants

Merchants John Lightowler Andrew Vickers Paul Townsend Jonathan Lucas Andrew Beadnall Andrew Harben Brian Macartney Michael Drucquer Richard Tasker Richard Collingwood-Gittens Timothy Young

Derek Dempsey Simon Clark David Grice Ashley Cooper Christopher Brown, Philip Gooder, Richard Hamshaw, Martin Tree, Ian Gray, Keith Sargeant, Paul Ramsden, Robert Moore, Paul Johnston Peter Short, Nigel Pritchard, Andrew Buckman, Christopher Hazel, Lionel Hall, Justin Terry, Thomas Bloom, William Elsey, Lohn Laing, John Exell, Richard Tasker, Paul Ainsworth, Neil Cameron, Andrew Sherris. Peter Short, Paul Townsend, Nigel Pritchard, John Houseman, Gary Reed, John Croft, John Pearson, Keith Sargeant, Peter Wilkinson, Robert Little, Simon Robinson. Paul Ramsden, Ian Gray, Andrew Buckman Other Parts ... Peter Bell, Edwin Fry, Robert Cole, Robert Spence, Stephen Coverdale, Andrew Maycock, David Dickinson, Andrew Sherriff, John Mitchell, Christopher Pallant. The play is set in feudal Grusinia. The scene is the town of Nuka, the surrounding countryside, and finally the Law Court at Nuka. Stage Manager Stephen Oliver Stage Crew James Pearson, Peter Pollard, David Smith

Assisted by

Lighting Make up

Costume Prompter Produced by Stephen Bell, Simon Ford, George Park, Alec Stow, Gary Reed Peter Holmes, David Fotheringham John Craven, Colin Lang, Michael Bidgood, John Whittle Frederick Gooder, Jeremy Willis Keith Benson Mr. D. K. Exham Mr. P. D. R. Gardiner