What do you think?
Rate this book
Other Side of the Game
I don’t think you can expect society to change if you’re not ready to take the first step.
In the 1970s Beverly walks into an office of Black activists, wanting to join the Movement, and has to prove she’s committed enough to fight. Some forty years later, in the Hip Hop Generation, Nicole reunites with her ex-boyfriend on a basketball court, wondering where he’s been, when a police officer stops them.
In this striking debut, Amanda Parris turns the spotlight on the Black women who organize communities, support their incarcerated loved ones, and battle institutions, living each day by a ride-or-die philosophy, strengthening their voices and demanding to be heard.
128 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2019
3 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 31, 2022
Other Side of the Game is a strong, passionate play about two generations of Black Canadian women, and I really hope to see it staged someday, but I’m guessing I will always be ever so slightly disappointed by a stage performance of this play.
I put down the book feeling like Amanda Parris took an idea that needed 12+ hours to fully realize and forced it into less than two hours stage time. As an aside, It is interesting that she works for CBC as a producer; I would love to see her turn Other Side of the Game into a TV series, and I won't be surprised if it happens. Fingers crossed because I think this as a TV series could be something very special. Still, no matter what comes in the future, Other Side of the Game's theatre manifestation needed more, so much more. I felt short changed emotionally, and Parris' stagecraftiness in the jailhouse transition scenes wasn’t enough to fill in the gaps or overcome the emotional detachment those gaps forced.
Ironically, it is that sadness of unfulfilled potential that makes me want to see it staged so badly. Other Side of the Game is a Canadian story that we don’t see enough of (if you are Canadian and you aren't watching The Porter, why not?), and the story it tells is a valuable learning experience regardless of my feelings about its shortcomings.
It is important to note, however, that there are some places where Other Side of the Game excels, especially in the richness of its dialogue. There are layers to what Parris has written that would make for some interesting analysis during a post-show discussion, and that is part of why I am so keen to see life breathed into her characters. Moreover, Parris’ casting note at the beginning of her play -- that “All characters who represent the system ... can be cast as Black, Indigenous or people of colour” -- is an explicit deepening of her intended layers, foregrounding the ubiquitous inequality of power structures regardless of who is holding the positions of power.
I wonder if I would feel differently right now if Amanda Parris had made Other Side of the Game into a two-parter, like Tony Kushner's Angels in America? It's quite possible because it would have given time and space for her dialogue to deepen her discussions about institutional racism (exemplified by Parris’ casting directive), classism and the marginalization and alienation of the poor, gender inequalities, what constitutes activism, and the Black Canadian experience through time.
As it stands, though, Other Side of the Game falls just a touch short. But then I've not seen it staged, and that could change everything.
I put down the book feeling like Amanda Parris took an idea that needed 12+ hours to fully realize and forced it into less than two hours stage time. As an aside, It is interesting that she works for CBC as a producer; I would love to see her turn Other Side of the Game into a TV series, and I won't be surprised if it happens. Fingers crossed because I think this as a TV series could be something very special. Still, no matter what comes in the future, Other Side of the Game's theatre manifestation needed more, so much more. I felt short changed emotionally, and Parris' stagecraftiness in the jailhouse transition scenes wasn’t enough to fill in the gaps or overcome the emotional detachment those gaps forced.
Ironically, it is that sadness of unfulfilled potential that makes me want to see it staged so badly. Other Side of the Game is a Canadian story that we don’t see enough of (if you are Canadian and you aren't watching The Porter, why not?), and the story it tells is a valuable learning experience regardless of my feelings about its shortcomings.
It is important to note, however, that there are some places where Other Side of the Game excels, especially in the richness of its dialogue. There are layers to what Parris has written that would make for some interesting analysis during a post-show discussion, and that is part of why I am so keen to see life breathed into her characters. Moreover, Parris’ casting note at the beginning of her play -- that “All characters who represent the system ... can be cast as Black, Indigenous or people of colour” -- is an explicit deepening of her intended layers, foregrounding the ubiquitous inequality of power structures regardless of who is holding the positions of power.
I wonder if I would feel differently right now if Amanda Parris had made Other Side of the Game into a two-parter, like Tony Kushner's Angels in America? It's quite possible because it would have given time and space for her dialogue to deepen her discussions about institutional racism (exemplified by Parris’ casting directive), classism and the marginalization and alienation of the poor, gender inequalities, what constitutes activism, and the Black Canadian experience through time.
As it stands, though, Other Side of the Game falls just a touch short. But then I've not seen it staged, and that could change everything.
January 26, 2021
“Other Side of the Game” is a super interesting read. I went into it not realizing it was a play (I would LOVE to see it performed). The plot follows Beverly and Nicole, two black women in Toronto who are on the other side of “the game” - in wait for their incarcerated loved ones, in the background of a social justice movement, as mothers. The story goes back and forth between two time periods - Beverly in the 1970s black power movement in Toronto and Nicole in a contemporary GTA neighbourhood. The spotlight in this play is on these black women’s lives and their perspectives. Parris highlights how such women are continually silenced in the prison system, at work, in family, and in society, yet they endure and persist. I found the transitions a bit clunky and wonder if the two time period aspect entirely works (they were almost too disconnected). Nonetheless, a very cool concept and interesting read! Maybe once we are allowed to attend live events again, I can see this one on the stage 🤞🏻
September 22, 2021
Where I work, we don't have many plays to choose from but I am very happy we have this one. So sad, so poignant, so relevant. The first scene was a turn off but once I got passed it, I couldn't or wouldn't put it down. Everything happens quickly: the characters are well developed, the drama not over done and the themes hit home right away. If you want to understand anti-Black racism, read this play. Other side touches on so many societal issues: the plight of the Black male and female, daycare woes, relationships within the Black community, education, streaming, family, friendships, hardships, resilience. Definitely a must read!
June 30, 2020
This play was a quick read!
It definitely has a powerful message - the imposed silence of black women navigating situations such as the prison system, work, day care etc. Parris attempts to illuminate the stories of people who are forgotten about and marginalized. With each character we see a lot of frustration throughout the play.
I did find that the transitions did not have great flow between time periods, jumping from realistic scenes to expressionistic montages. The story could benefit from a clearer plot..
Nonetheless I would love to see this acted out!!
It definitely has a powerful message - the imposed silence of black women navigating situations such as the prison system, work, day care etc. Parris attempts to illuminate the stories of people who are forgotten about and marginalized. With each character we see a lot of frustration throughout the play.
I did find that the transitions did not have great flow between time periods, jumping from realistic scenes to expressionistic montages. The story could benefit from a clearer plot..
Nonetheless I would love to see this acted out!!
August 6, 2020
I didn’t realize that this was a play - I hadn’t read a play since those Shakespeare days in school. And now I wish can watch this somewhere.
The play intertwines two stories set in different decades and highlights the experiences of Black women on the “other side of the game” - women who are organizing political movement, who are supporting loved ones who keep getting incarcerated, women who are mothers. Women whose stories and voices are often erased.
It was a short enriching read and it left me rooting deeply for its characters and wanting to know more.
The play intertwines two stories set in different decades and highlights the experiences of Black women on the “other side of the game” - women who are organizing political movement, who are supporting loved ones who keep getting incarcerated, women who are mothers. Women whose stories and voices are often erased.
It was a short enriching read and it left me rooting deeply for its characters and wanting to know more.
May 16, 2021
A phenomenal and touching play which weaves stories of Black women as they fight in Black activism movements, support incarcerated loved ones and act as ride-or-dies as they push against institutionalized racism. An important play about Black lives, feminism and intersectionality.
June 13, 2020
Would love to see this acted out!
November 20, 2020
read for class in one sitting. would love to see it staged
December 22, 2020
So devastatingly true and sad.
December 13, 2023
there were two sides… yep, i’ve tapped. it happened, the end.
December 5, 2021
I loved this play so much. I love how relevant this story is today with the current BLM protest and how black women are viewed in the patriarchy. 10/10 recommend.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews