The Other Place

A world premiere by award-winning playwright Christopher Bryant, The Other Place is a genre-defying work performed by an all-female-identifying cast at Theatre Works until 8 September 2019.

Carlton, 1967. Schoolteacher Betty Burstall begins sketching plans for what will eventually become La Mama Theatre; the pre-eminent independent home of new, experimental, and previously unseen Australian work.

Stratford-upon-Avon, 1975. Politically charged director Buzz Goodbody – founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Other Place; a theatre of new, experimental and previously unseen theatre – is about to begin rehearsing her production of Hamlet.

The Other Place is a show about two remarkable, tenacious women who pioneered the world of theatre. It is a work that demonstrates that even in the face of adversity, the bonds of women will shine through. The play highlights the historical power imbalances that women face in the industry, and how these are still perpetuated today.

Drawing on historical events, fiction and non-fiction, the dialogue of the play melts together to create a magical realism that showcases the brilliance of women in theatre.

“It’s a play about history, but not as you’d expect it,” says Playwright Christopher Bryant. “It’s about imbalances in theatre and in the world, but it’s also about a time when theatre was so affecting, and people were so passionate, that they would literally riot in the streets because of it.”

Christopher Bryant is a Griffin Award nominated playwright, performer, and NIDA graduate. He has worked with a range of companies including fortyfivedownstairs, Malthouse Theatre, State Library Victoria, ATYP, MKA, Apocalypse Theatre, La Mama and Emerging Writer’s Festival. His works have been been published by Play Lab, Australian Plays, and Hello Mr. Magazine.

Director: Jessica Dick Featuring: Ravenna Bouckaert, Kristina Benton, Vivan Nguyen, Erin Pattison, Susie Sparkes Assistant Director: James Christensen Set Design: Ella Butler Lighting Design: John Collopy Sound Design: Joshua Bliss Playwright: Christopher Bryant