The Exception and the Rule

The Exception and the Rule [1] (in German: Die Ausnahme und die Regel) is a short play by German playwright Bertolt Brecht.

The original text

Die Ausnahme und die Regel is one of several Lehrstücke (teaching plays) Brecht wrote around 1929/30. The objective of these Lehrstücke was that they be taken on tour and performed in schools or in factories to educate the masses about socialist politics. (Wikipedia)

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English by Eric Bentley.

Performance history in South Africa

1973: Staged in the The Space (Cape Town), directed by Trevor Whittock and Patricia Whittock, starring Phillip Boucher, Neville Burgess, Bill Curry, Christopher Prophet, Jacqui Singer, Maralin Vanrenen. Design and stage manager John Nankin.

1975: Staged by PACT Playwork in the Bentley English translation, directed by Robin Malan, featuring Peter Terry (The Merchant), Jon Ossher (The Coolie), Lochner de Kock (The Guide), Garth Tuckett (The Policeman & The Judge), Laurika Rauch (The Innkeeper) and Harriet Pienaar (The Widow).

1983: Presented by the University of Zululand at the National Arts Festival Student Drama. Directed by Njabulo Mabaso, set designed by Mabaso and the cast, set built by Kingsley Xaba and the cast. Lighting by Mabaso and Xaba. Company manager Bafana Nkambule, stage manager Kingsley Xaba. The cast: Zolosile Mapipa, Kingsley Xaba, Sipho Nkabinoe, Mafu Pamla, Mthanoeni Namba, Bafana Nkambule, Monthetho Sibisi, Mafu Pamla, Vikki Kapueja, Bongani Simelane.