It’s a play that’s certainly circuitous in nature.
The Caucasian Chalk Circle is a 20th century adaptation by German playwright Bertoldt Brecht of a 14th century Chinese play that debuted in the United States in the 1940s when Brecht was living there.
It’s the story in part of a maid who rescues her mistress’s baby son during a coup in ancient China.
Her mistress, the governor’s wife, fled after her husband was assassinated leaving her baby boy behind.
It’s now being performed by the West Australian Black Swan Theatre company and fittingly is being directed by the vice president of the National Theatre of China Dr Wang Xiaoying.
"There has definitely been a lot of pressure through this process for the actors and me,” Dr Wang said through an interpreter.
Director Dr Wang Xiaoying. Source: SBS World News
“Because there’s a lot of expectation and interest in this production."
The production between the two companies is the first of its kind in Australia on such a scale.
Both theatre companies had collaborated with European companies, but in hindsight the both thought they should be looking to their own regional neighbours.
The conversation began in 2013 but they took their time to make sure the collaboration would be a success.
“Here is a great opportunity to increase the cultural understanding,” Dr Wang said.
“On the one hand to bring Chinese culture to Australia but also to Chinese people and audience to also understand Australian ways of thinking and working."
Black Swan Theatre general manager Natalie Jenkins said the actors had still stuck to the same rehearsal schedule despite having to have Dr Wang’s directions translated.
A Chinese soldier offers his hand in marriage to the Chinese maid who saves the governor’s baby son. Source: SBS
“It's been very exciting and a learning for all of us, which is what we seek to achieve with these collaborations,” she said.
“It's going to be different to a lot of the work we've done and different from what people have seen in Australia.”
The play is at the Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth until August 14.
