A play whose dramatic structure and didactic purposes epitomises epic theatre is The Caucasian Chalk Circle (CCC). The prologue of this play transpires in a Caucasian village of the Soviet Union, where the people of this village are being presented a play called "The Chalk Circle". This play is narrated by a "Singer" and embarks on the story of a servant girl, Grusha, who rescues the governor's son when their city falls under siege. The son, Michael, has been left behind, without so much as a backward glance, by his fleeing mother. Grusha escapes, with Michael in her arms, to the mountains where they live for over a year. Along this journey, countless places and people are encountered, a number that would only occur in epic theatre.
In truly epic fashion, the play then regresses to the beginning of the story and introduces a man, Azdak. By chance this character becomes an amoral and almost absurd judge in Grusha and Michael's former city. The paths of Grusha and Azdak cross when Grusha is summoned to the trial that will determine who is to have custody of Michael. His biological mother or the peasant Grusha who has cared for him the past years? Azdak's ruling results from the outcome of the "Chalk Circle" test. Grusha is awarded the child and hence, though the law has succumbed, justice has prevailed. It is arguable that Brecht's message in this was to the Germans, that in order to uphold justice they must revolt against Hitler's law.
Many components of The CCC brand it to be an epic drama. The Singer narrates what is to occur at the commencement of each scene, so that the audience is familiar with enough of the plot in order for them to refrain from becoming emotionally involved. Thoughts that could only be expressed through soliloquies are also executed by the Singer. This person additionally allows the play to uninhibitedly change place and time by just citing several words. The ability of altering the situation and time is another element of epic theatre.