The Other Side of Me
Overview
The Other Side of Me by Gary Lang NT Dance Company
Produced by BlakDance
One mother’s love, another’s loss.
Between them the child that grows to a man who can never return home.
The Other Side of Me by Gary Lang shares the tragedy of Stolen Generations through the heartbreaking story of one man stranded between two families, continents and cultures. This achingly intimate duet confronts the destruction wrought by Motherland and colony still felt by First Nations people, but offers the redemptive beauty of singing his spirit home.
At the conclusion of the work is a 15 minute in-conversation for audiences.
The story is based on actual events. However, names, incidents and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes. All characters depicted in the production are composites or fictitious. Any similarity to the original story, or of fictitious characters to an actual person, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.
The Other Side of Me is produced and toured by BlakDance. The UK tour has received financial assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT.
The production is a collaboration between Gary Lang NT Dance Company and Northumbria University, UK. It received financial support through the Northern Territory Government, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Regional Arts Australia, the British Council, Creative Australia, Brisbane Festival and Queensland Performing Arts Centre for the premiere in 2023 in Darwin Festival at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
If a performance is sold out, email info@northernstage.co.uk or call 0191 230 5151 to be added to our waiting list.
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Production images (credit Paz Tassone and Gregory Lorenzutti)
Reviews
★★★★⯪ “A tough story, powerfully told” – ArtsHub
“A mesmerising work that is performed with dazzling virtuosity” – Stage Whispers
“Amazing – uncomfortable feelings yes, but the ones that are so necessary to sit with even this slight glimmer into some truth” – Audience member
“As a child of the stolen generation, I have never seen a performance that spoke of my life and experience so clearly. I felt seen and deeply affected” – Audience member
“Powerful and compelling new dance work that packs an emotional punch from the first to last moments of the show” – Kate Fell, Artistic Director, Darwin Festival
“I was absolutely mesmerised and moved beyond words” – Miranda Tetlow, ABC Radio, Darwin
Cast and Creative Team
Co-Creator, Choreographer, Director
Gary Lang, Larrakia
Cultural Consultant, Songman
Banula Marika, Yolŋu
Co-Creator, Dramaturg, Writer
Laura Fish
Co-Creator, Dramaturg
Liz Pavey
Cultural Consultant
Josephine Crawshaw, Kalkarindji
Cultural Consultant
Jesse Norris, Torres Strait Island
Voice Artist
Janet Munyarryun, Yolŋu
Sound Designer
Arian Pearson, Yolŋu
Rehearsal Director
Noelle Shader
Performer
Chandler Connell, Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal
Performer
Alexander Abbot
Lighting Designer
Joseph Mercurio
Costume Designer
Jennifer Irwin
Composer/Sound Designer
Samuel Pankhurst
Projection Designer
Samuel James
Producer
BlakDance
Content guidance
Recommended for ages 15+. Contains violence (simulated aggressive violent partnering movements); nudity/sexual content (top half shirtless male performers); strong language (simulated aggressive sounds, simulated drug taking scene movement); use of white chalk/clay as Ochre to use on bodies, this is then spread over the set piece wall in very small and damp amounts at the later part of the end of the work.
Contains visual projection, black out / full darkness stage moments.
Sensitive content:
The Other Side of Me is an international story of the Stolen Generations, provoking conversation about the impacts of displacement from Country. The Stolen Generations is in reference to First Nations Australians being taken from their families. It is a contemporary dance work. There is simulated violence, aggression and drug taking.
Themes and concepts: Stolen Generations, First Nations storytelling, Aboriginal languages, Cultural Ceremony, Connection to Country, adoption, identity, duality, masculinity, displacement, incarceration, justice, intergenerational trauma, memory, healing, love, loss and lLonging.
No alcohol is permitted inside the theatre during the performance.
Gary’s works are cross-cultural collaborations built on a lifetime of creative relationships and respects. The Other Side of Me is a sensual and spiritual duet made with Gary’s UK relationships.
The Other Side of Me is a global story of the impact of displacement that explores identity, adoption, the criminal justice system and cultural and psychological health. Please be advised that there are people in the archive video and trailer files that have since passed away.
There are two entrances to the theatre, Kings Road Entrance (this is the taxi drop-off/collection point) and the Main Entrance.
Both level entrances have automated doors. These lead into the foyer area where you will find the Restaurant, Bar, Box Office and entrances to Stages 1, 2 and 3.
STEP FREE ACCESS
Northern Stage is fully accessible. The theatre has three lifts providing access to all parts of the building, including the accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, stages 2 & 3 and the backstage area. Buggy parking is available
WHEELCHAIR SPACES
There are five wheelchair positions in Stage 1, two positions in Stage 2 and all seats are removeable in Stage 3.
TOILETS
We have a Changing Places toilet in the Stage 1 lobby and accessible toilets in Stage 3 and Stage 2 lower entrance lobby. Gender neutral toilets are situated in the Stage 2 lower entrance lobby.
HEARING ENHANCEMENT
Induction loop system in all public spaces, and an infra-red system in all three stages. (In Stage 1 the induction loop is best covered in rows E – L).
ASSISTANCE
One free ticket for the assistant of a disabled person who is not able to attend unaccompanied.
BOOKING COMPANION SEATING
To book a free ticket for a wheelchair companion or an assistant, contact our Box Office on 0191 230 5151, via email at boxoffice@northernstage.co.uk or by visiting our Box Office in person.
GUIDE DOGS
Guide, hearing and all working dogs are welcome here.
SEAT ACCESSIBILITY
Stage 1: Seats are 43 cm wide, 41cm deep, with 46cm between arm rests. The aisleway is 51cm deep from the seat back. Arm rests cannot be removed.
Stage 2: Seats are 40cm wide, 41cm deep. The aisleway is 64cm deep from the seat back. There are no arm rests.
Our seats are rated to British Standards at installation and are guaranteed to hold up to 110kg.
More Information
To discuss any access needs, take a look at our access page or please call our Box Office on 0191 230 5151.