On Friday night, Stuart and I went to see Otherland at the Almeida Theatre in London’s glitzy Islington.
Chris Bush’s new play with music is a thought-provoking exploration of womanhood and the physical changes women undergo.
We follow married, then separated, couple Jo (Jake Anouka) and Harry (Fizz Sinclair) as they navigate these transformations. Jo becomes pregnant, while Harry starts hormone therapy.
Bush juxtaposes a trans and cis experience, showing both in all their complexity. With much pathos, and much humour too.
It’s a powerful and moving watch that challenges us to think about womanhood in a new way.
Harri’s conversations with her mum (Jackie Clune) who wants her to act like a man for a wedding are particularly poignant.
The only odd thing is perhaps when the play takes a wild turn in the second act, shifting to heavy-handed dreamlike metaphors. Harry is transported back in time, while Jo zooms forward.
But that aside, it was a very interesting and entertaining night at the theatre that stays with you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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