Caucasian Chalk Circle

Brecht projects an ancient Chinese story onto a realistic setting in Soviet Georgia. In a theme that echoes the Judgment of Solomon, two women argue over the possession of a child. Thanks to the unruly judge, Azdak (one of Brecht''s most vivid creations) natural justice is done and the peasant Grusha keeps the child she loves, even though she is not its mother.

Written while Brecht was in exile in ...