THE OTHER SIDE OF ME by Gary Lang NT Dance Company
This international, cross-cultural collaboration with Northumbria University (UK), Dr Laura Fish (dec.) (Co-Creator, Dramaturg, Writer) and Liz Pavey (Co-Creator, Dramaturg), is choreographed by acclaimed Larrakia artist Gary Lang and brings a true story of the Stolen Generations to the stage.
An intimate dance duet, the work explores the heartbreak of removal and the resilience of spirit, offering a powerful testament to the enduring love between mothers and sons across cultures and continents.
Developed over six years across the Northern Territory and the United Kingdom, the work premiered in 2023, toured Western and Central Australia in 2024, and was presented at The Australian Ballet’s DanceX in 2025. In 2026, it tours Australia’s East Coast before its international premiere in the UK.
Told with care and complexity, it asks vital questions about origin, identity, adoption, justice and healing. It honours the real young man whose life inspired it, as well as the communities affected by similar histories.
UK Tour locations 2026
Northern Stage, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Wednesday 20 May 2026, 7:00PM
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Lyth Arts Centre, Caithness
Saturday 23 May 2026, 7:00PM
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Eden Court, Inverness
Wednesday 27 May 2026, 7:00PM
The Other Side of Me at DanceX, image by Gregory Lorenzutti
“While so-called classic and canonical works are regularly restaged in Australia, it’s still relatively rare to see new Australian works given a second lease of life. While there are, of course, exceptions, far too often many new Australian works have only a brief time in the sun before they’re mothballed and the focus moves on to the next new production waiting in the wings – which makes the current remount of The Other Side of Me by Gary Lang NT Dance Company all the more significant.”
Creative Team
Gary Lang (Co-Creator, Choreographer, Director) Larrakia
Banula Marika (Cultural Consultant, Songman) Yolŋu
Laura Fish (Co-Creator, Dramaturg, Writer) (dec.)
Liz Pavey (Co-Creator, Dramaturg)
Josephine Crawshaw (Cultural Consultant) Kalkarindji
Jesse Norris (Cultural Consultant) Torres Strait Island
Janet Munyarryun (Voice Artist) Yolŋu
Arian Pearson (Sound Designer) Yolŋu
Noelle Shader (Rehearsal Director)
Blake Escott (Performer) Dhunghutti, Worimi
Alexander Abbot (Performer)
Joseph Mercurio (Lighting Designer)
Jennifer Irwin (Costume Designer)
Samuel Pankhurst (Composer/Sound Designer)
Samuel James (Projection Designer)
BlakDance (Producer)
The Other Side of Me 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 production is a collaboration between Gary Lang NT Dance Company and Northumbria University, UK. It has received financial support through the Northern Territory Government, Regional Arts Australia, the British Council, Creative Australia, Brisbane Festival and Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
The work premiered in 2023 in Darwin Festival at the Darwin Entertainment Centre, toured WA and Central Australia 2024 and premiered in Melbourne at DanceX Festival in 2025, and toured East Coast Australia in 2026.
The Other Side of Me is produced and toured by BlakDance. The UK tour has received financial assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, the International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund and the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT.