Otherland by Chris Bush at the Almeida Theatre. Fizz Sinclair and Jade Anouka. Credit Marc BrennerHarry has been in a relationship with Jo for a decade, surrounded by adoring friends who form the central Chorus in Chris Bush’s play directed by Ann Yee. Although Jo has previously been sexual with women, she cannot envisage remaining and being happy with Harry and the idea that they could simply assume the identity of a lesbian couple is quickly quashed. Simply put, Jo isn’t just attracted to ALL women. What starts with a gathering of celebration quickly morphs into a separation with the inevitable unpleasantness over CDs.
As Harry embarks on the lonely and isolating transition process, Jo in search of herself, falls for a boisterously engaging fellow hiker Gabby as they tackle the Inca Trail. Perhaps more than with any other contentious and impassioned subject, the debate around gender identity, trans rights, how they impact women’s rights and a host of other contiguous topics have occupied modern society’s thoughts in recent times. Most consider the matter something of a minefield, not only because it is a complex issue, but because there are hugely entrenched positions and multiple, nuanced considerations, all of which have potential to upset someone or everyone. Once the basic outline was covered in the first half, I returned from a head-clearing jaunt around the drizzly environs of Almeida’s Islington, the lights dimmed and an altogether disconcerting spectacle awaited.
Firstly the set had acquired a shallow sloshing pool centre stage, in which Harry (still in the same costume) was caught in nets and near to death, but we soon realise this is a very different Harry, from an altogether different era. The be-webbed othered sea creature, (a mermaid by any other name), is housed, fed, studied and paraded before curious and enquiring minds, sometime in the Georgian era, by a scientist. Whilst the transportation to another time and place took a while to embed, it served to encourage consideration of anyone who has ever found themselves on the periphery of societal norms.
Jo and Gabby’s story also continues, but this time into some sort of parallel universe future where Gabby’s desire to have a baby is thwarted by her own body and Jo (in not wanting to lose the love of her life to resentment) offers to conceive for her. Jo is presented as some kind of former sex worker automaton (complete with a futuristic chrome belly), now reprogrammed to carry Gabby’s baby to term. It’s a weirdly disconcerting turn of events with Gabby’s hormonal histrionics in marked contrast to Jo’s cold and robotic responses with an assuaging in vitro specialist often having to act as the calming voice of reason during their emotionally misaligned interactions.
Another notable character, is Harry’s well meaning mother who understandably doesn’t quite get the whole transitioning process - neatly summed-up in her constant clumsy suggestion that Harry use an old passport, put on a suit and come as you are, to a family wedding, rather than wait for new documents. The same performer also commands the stage as Hera, a village elder determined to keep the sea creature from joining the townsfolk, through talk of difference and danger. Bush has the creature occupy a cave for this section and at one point she recalls waving and wishing well, those who kick off their shoes, running headlong from the land towards the sea. It’s a particularly poignant moment, subtly made.
The final segment sees Jo and Gabby emotionally reunited as their baby is born. We also come full circle with Jo sitting talking with Harry over coffee about how they have both changed on their respective life journeys.
The cast of players universally deliver strong and vulnerable performances and the sense of company camaraderie transcends a complex subject as it collectively poses thought provoking and sensitive storylines on an appropriately exposed set by Fly Davis. The play won’t necessarily be to everyone’s taste, but it is unquestionably an adventurous piece, beautifully realised and I wholly recommend it.
The cast:
Harry - Fizz Sinclair
Jo - Jade Anouka
Mother (Elaine) / Hera - Jackie Clune
Gabby - Amanda Wilkin
Chorus - Serena Manteghi
Chorus - Laura Hanna
Chorus - Danielle Fiamanya
Chorus - Beth Hinton-Lever
