| Other Side of the Game | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Amanda Parris |
| Date premiered | October 14, 2017 |
| Place premiered | Aki Studio Theatre, Toronto, Canada |
Other Side of the Game is a 2017 play by Amanda Parris. It won the Governor General's Award for English-language drama in 2019.
Synopsis
[edit]Other Side of the Game follows Beverly, a student in 1970s Toronto who becomes involved with Black activists organizing in the civil rights movement, and Nicole in contemporary Toronto who, while at a basketball court with her ex-boyfriend, is stopped by police.[1][2]
Development
[edit]Parris was inspired to write the play after visiting a friend at the Don Jail in Toronto.[3] She noticed the majority of the people in the waiting room were women and began speaking to them.[4] Other Side of the Game is Parris' first play.[3] She initially wrote the play envisioning herself performing it, but was encouraged by dramaturge, Marjorie Chan, to explore alternate versions of the play without herself as a performer.[5]
Productions
[edit]Other Side of the Game premiered in October 2017 at Aki Studio Theatre in Toronto as a co-production from Obsidian Theatre and Cahoots Theatre, directed by Nigel Shawn Williams. The production starred Virgilia Griffith, Ordena Stephens-Thompson, Shakura Dickson, Peter Bailey, and Ryan Rosery, and was choreographed by Jasmyn Fyffe.[6][3]
Adaptation
[edit]In 2019, Other Side of the Game was adapted as an audio drama in three parts for the PlayME podcast.[7]
Awards and nominations
[edit]The play was published by Playwrights Canada Press in 2019 and won the Governor General's Award for English-language drama that year.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Malouin, Hayley (2017-11-21). "Sitting With Amanda Parris' "Other Side Of The Game"". The Theatre Times. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ^ a b van Koeverden, Jane (2019-10-29). "Here are the winners of the 2019 Governor General's Literary Awards". CBC. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ^ a b c Maga, Carly (2017-10-23). "Amanda Parris debut play Other Side of the Game makes an impact beyond the stage: review". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ^ "Amanda Parris' Ride-or-Die Tour De Force, OTHER SIDE OF THE GAME". She Does The City. 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ^ Trapunski, Charles (2017-10-27). "Interview: Other Side of the Game's Amanda Parris". Brief Take. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ^ Morrow, Martin (2017-10-20). "Review: Other Side of the Game is a passionate but uneven play". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ^ "Amanda Parris' debut play 'Other Side of the Game' adapted for the ear". CBC. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2026-02-11.