Caucasian Chalk Circle: Is Blood Really Thicker Than Water?
The story begins in the city of Nuka, where war has suddenly erupted, leaving the townsfolk to flee. As danger gets closer, the ruling family prepares to flee, but it’s in this scene that we see their true colours. The governor (Daniel Gill) is too preoccupied with commenting on the weather to care for his family, while his wife, Natella (Charlize Diaz and Hayley Watson), opts to save her extravagant dresses instead of her own infant son, Michael. In their escape, infant Michael is left behind in the palace where he is found by a kitchen maid (Julia Catalanotto, Kate Popiel, Madeline Aitken, and Charli Birdgenaw) who cannot bring herself to leave the abandoned child behind and risks her life to keep him safe.
For this year’s Fall Major, the DAN School of Drama and Music presents Caucasian Chalk Circle, written by Bertolt Brecht and directed by Greg Wanless, bringing a new name to this year’s drama curriculum. The props and set in this production, both designed by Jerall Li, are phenomenal. The stage is filled with mock boulders, stone walls, and stone platforms doubling for staircases that surround the audience in its rustic setting. I was especially in awe of how the design extended beyond the items on stage. Head of paint, April Przontka, designed the stage floor to be painted in shades of green and beige, giving the room depth, while the wall behind the actors is covered in smoky cloud patterns that enhance the atmosphere. One of the most impressive elements is the functional bridge that gets brought out. Actors can physically walk over it, giving a sense of danger to the play.
There is also a spectacularly large cast, leaving no space on the stage unoccupied. Every corner gets actively put to use because there are more than enough characters to fill the dynamic world. One unique choice the production made was having actors swap major roles at several points. While this definitely led to some confusion about who the characters were, it is still an interesting approach. Having more performers take on prominent roles showcases how versatile the cast is, allowing each actor to contribute and get a chance in the spotlight.
One of the production’s strengths during the confusion of the role-swapping is the use of costume statement pieces designed by Alfonsina Moreno. Major characters such as Natella, the lawyer (Devon Mahoney and Will Mercer), and the kitchen maid each have a distinct, recognizable outfit that helps maintain uniformity even when different actors play the same role, keeping the story cohesive and making it much easier for the audience to follow who is who. I was especially fond of the governor and Natella’s costume designs; the visible caging and almost iridescent fabric in their garments add an extravagant and slightly pompous touch that stand out on stage and visually separate them from the rest of the ensemble.
Another immersive element of the production is the live music. The musicians provide everything from background tunes to drumrolls, and even create sound effects like wind when a character has to cross the treacherous bridge and water droplets when the hole in the roof begins leaking. Most of the musicians also act on top of their instrumental roles.
There was also an unplanned but hilarious moment when the beautifully crafted puppet of toddler Michael, puppeteered by Cassian Manderson, had his arm accidentally pulled off. The unintentional perfect timing caught the audience and even the cast off guard. In addition to this unexpected moment, there are many intentionally humorous moments Brecht has written into his play, like when the lawyer mistakenly divorces the wrong couple and says, “No take-backs!”
You can really tell how much dedication and hard work these students have poured into this production. It shows in every part of the performance: the acting, the singing, the staging, the costuming, the music. Their commitment brings the story to life in a way that feels cohesive with the plot line. It’s clear that this play is a true team effort, and their genuine passion is what has made it so impressive.
‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’ runs at Rotunda Theatre from November 13-November 23, 2025. More information can be found here.
