Dhaka: Drawing on the spirit of the Monsoon Revolution, the translated play ‘The Exception and the Rule’ by German playwright Bertolt Brecht was successfully staged for the second time at the Experimental Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The performance was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and organized by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, with the audience filling the hall to capacity. They expressed a need for more plays like this, reflecting a demand of the current times in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ‘Exceptions and Rules’ is one of Brecht’s educational plays that calls for a just and non-discriminatory society. The play exposes the face of power and aims to awaken the conscience of both the playwright and the audience through social analysis. The narrative is rooted in the public demands of the July Uprising, vividly depicted in the graffiti on walls, and this production represents a significant step by relatively young playwrights in practicin
g Brecht’s methods in Bangladesh.
Azad Abul Kalam, the director of the play, expressed that this effort is a crucial addition to the theatre movement in Bangladesh. The protest commentary and stance for truth and justice in these plays introduce a new dimension to Brecht’s practice. Shahidul Mamun’s Bengali translation of the work was brought to life by a talented cast and crew, with Shahin Saidur as assistant director and Md. Saiful Islam as the stage and lighting designer, among others.
The production featured a diverse ensemble including Sakhawat Hossain Rezvi, Ahmed Saki, Shatabdi Wadud, and many others playing various roles. This staging of ‘Exceptions and Rules’ is expected to further invigorate the practice of theatre arts in Bangladesh, maintaining the momentum of the Monsoon Revolution’s spirit in contemporary cultural expressions.