Chris Bush's play 'Otherland' intricately examines the female experience through the parallel narratives of a trans character, Harry, and a cis character, Jo. Set against society's expectations, the story unfolds from their joyful wedding day to the heartbreak of their separation. The characters navigate personal identities, desires, and societal pressures, leading to existential journeys involving love and sacrifice. The play shifts in tone, highlighting the surreal as Harry embodies a Victorian mermaid and Jo morphs into a pregnant cyborg, emphasizing themes of transformation and the challenges of self-ownership.
Throughout, we occupy defining periods in the lives of biologist Harry and plain-speaking, first-love Jo. We first meet them on their idyllic wedding day, then fast-forward to the break-up.
From warm-hearted naturalism, there's a feverish tonal shift to a Victorian mermaid narrative as Harry is reborn in an on-stage pool, which significantly alters the storytelling structure.
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