Prachyanat brings Brecht’s courtroom fable on stage

Entertainment Desk :

In a powerful return to political theatre, Prachyanat revives Bertolt Brecht’s ‘The Exception and the Rule’ for the Bangladeshi stage under the title ‘Byatikrom O Niyom,’ said a press release.

This bold new Bengali adaptation by Shahidul Mamun reimagines Brecht’s classic for a contemporary audience, highlighting its chilling relevance in today’s judicial, social, and political climates-especially in light of the 2024 Monsoon Uprising.

Set against a parched desert landscape, the play follows a paranoid merchant, a humble porter, and a local guide as they journey across unforgiving terrain in pursuit of profit and survival.

A fatal misunderstanding leads to tragedy, unfolding into a courtroom drama that questions whether justice can truly be impartial when wealth and power dominate the rules.
Directed by Azad Abul Kalam, the production is staged with the ensemble strength Prachyanat is celebrated for.

The visual and technical elements-set and lighting design by acclaimed theatre designer Shaiful Islam, original score by veteran theatre musician Neel Kamrul, and choreography by renowned dancer Snata Shahrin-add layered meaning to the performance.

The music and movement deepen the narrative’s emotional pull, amplifying its political urgency.
Mamun’s adaptation is deeply informed by the events of 2024, weaving Brecht’s anti-capitalist message into local cultural memory and political awareness.