Brecht in Ethiopia

"የመጨረሻው ፍርድ - The Caucasian Chalk Circle" captivated theatre audiences with an impressive premiere.

Bertolt Brecht's timeless masterpiece, adapted into Amharic and directed by Manyazewal Endeshaw together with dramaturge Dr. Laura Olivi, unfolds its full power on the stage of the Hager Fikir Theatre – emotional, political and topical, with musical accompaniment that lingers long after the curtain falls.

The portrayal of Tiringo (Grusche) in particular touches the audience deeply and makes her a symbol of courage, humanity and self-sacrifice.

The play forces the audience to question their own ideas of law, order and authority.

"The Caucasian Chalk Circle" is a theatrical event not to be missed.

Thanks to the partnership between Addis Ababa Theatre Houses Enterprise, Hager Fikir Theatre and the Goethe-Institut Ethiopia, the play is performed every Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hager Fikir Theatre.

Experience theatre that moves you.

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“On Thursday, 18 December 2025, I had the opportunity to see the premiere of the Ethiopian adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's work The Caucasian Chalk Circle in Amharic at the Hager Fikir Theatre. What I particularly liked about this adaptation were the numerous elements of Ethiopian culture and a variety of humorous moments. In short, the convincing performance of the actors and actresses, together with the atmosphere of Ethiopia's oldest theatre, made the evening an unforgettable cultural experience for me. Jiri Kaftan, intern at the Goethe-Institut in Ethiopia.
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“Brecht's theatrical concepts into the context of Ethiopian modern theater, creating a balanced fusion of global dramatic theory and local stage practice, the collaboration between Manyazewal and Dr. Laura made the production both compelling and intellectually engaging for audiences.” The Ethiopian Herald, Sunday Edition 21 December 2025.
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“The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Adapted and directed by Manyazewal Endeshaw in collaboration with Dr. Laura Olivi, the play was fantastic clever, lively, and genuinely funny. The adaptation spoke beautifully to an Ethiopian audience, especially younger generations. The space was filled with laughter and joy, and the actresses delivered outstanding performances. A truly memorable and engaging theatrical experience.” Henok Brhanu, Artist.