Locating the World of the Play

The history of the region in which The Caucasian Chalk Circle is set greatly influences both the play itself and UMass’ production. The Caucasus is a region that bridges Europe and Asia (see map). Spanning the broad isthmus between the Caspian and Black Seas, the Caucasus is divided by the Caucasian mountain range into two regions: on the southern side of the mountains are the modern-day countries Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the northern slopes of the mountains reach into Chechnya and other border states of the former Soviet Union.

The Caucasus Mountains provide a formidable physical barrier between Europe and Asia; however, they have never stood in the way of migrations in either direction. Thus in the Caucasus boast tremendous ethnic and religious diversity on both sides of the mountains. Because it is an important transitional region between Europe and Asia, the history of the Caucasus includes persistent episodes of warfare, upheaval, invasion and rebellion. Colonized at one time or another by ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, and Russians, the region now features extraordinary ethnic and linguistic diversity (more than fifty languages are spoken!).

The region has also been a hotbed for insurrection over the centuries, as those who considered it home were forced to rise up against colonizing outsiders. Grusinia, where The Caucasian Chalk Circle takes place, is a fictionalized version of the countries Georgia and Azerbaijan. The turbulent history of the Caucasus means that the insurrection that takes place at the beginning of the play could have happened at multiple points in time. We have therefore taken take artistic liberties with our interpretations of who these people are and what their lives look like.

(Source: South Coast Rep Playgoers Guide)