Advertisement
An aching dance duet of a man’s struggle with identity, loss and otherness and the redemptive beauty of singing his spirit home. Following the success of their 2022 show Waŋa and after a well received premiere at Darwin Entertainment Centre as part of Darwin Festival last year, Gary Lang NT Dance Company bring back this powerful and moving dance duet that navigates the limits of physical expression. Choreographed by Gary Lang, this international, cross-cultural collaboration with Northumbria University (UK) communicates a story of the Stolen Generations’ trauma. With care and compassion, it poses questions about relationships between country of origin, identity, adoption, the criminal justice system and psychological health.
The Other Side of Me translates into dance the true-life story of a young Aboriginal man, born in the 1960s in the Northern Territory, adopted by a white English family and raised in a remote hamlet in the United Kingdom. Drawing on a collection of personal letters and poems, it offers insights into the mind of a man struggling to re-evaluate his life in light of his First Nations Australian origins, on the other side of the world.
Performance warnings
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences are advised that this show references people who have died.
Contains haze. Recommended for ages 15+
Community Tix
Garrmalang Festival and Darwin Entertainment Centre are committed to working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to celebrate and elevate First Nations culture, and increase accessibility and participation in the arts. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access reserved Community tickets for this event.
Cast & Creatives
Choreographer Gary Lang (Larrakia)
Cultural Consultants Josephine Crawshaw (Kalkarindji), Jesse Norris (Torres Strait Island descendent), Banula Marika (Yolŋu)
Gary Lang NT Dance Company General Manager Erica McCallum
Project Manager Elizabeth Rogers
Rehearsal Director Noelle Shader
Co-Creator, Dramaturg, Writer Laura Fish
Co-Creator, Dramaturg Liz Pavey
Performer Chandler Connell (Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal)
Performer Alexander Abbot
Composer/Sound Designer Samuel Pankhurst
Sound Designer Arian Pearson (Yolŋu)
Video Artist Samuel James
Lighting Designer Joseph Mercurio
Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin
Tour Producer BlakDance
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 by Gary Lang NT Dance Company with the tour produced by BlakDance. The national tour has received financial assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. The production is a collaboration between Gary Lang NT Dance Company and Northumbria University, UK. It premiered in 2023 in Darwin Festival at Darwin Entertainment Centre. It received financial support through the Northern Territory Government, Regional Arts Australia, the British Council and Creative Australia.
Garrmalang Festival runs from Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 May 2024. More program announcements are to follow.
Garrmalang Festival is supported by Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Northern Territory Government and Northern Territory Major Events Company, City of Darwin, Larrakia Nation and Off The Leash.
For information about Access, please see our FAQ page.
A COVID-19 safety plan has been created for this event. Please familiarise yourself with the health and safety guidelines for our patrons and staff here. Please note this is a cashless event.
Garrmalang Festival acknowledges the Larrakia People as the traditional custodians of the Darwin region and pays respect to their elders, community leaders and emerging warriors.
We also acknowledge all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, clans and communities that make Darwin and the Top End region such a diverse and inclusive place, where we can all come together and celebrate as one.
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Darwin Entertainment Centre, 93 Mitchell Street,Darwin,NT,Australia
Tickets