In a world torn apart by fear, fighting and infection, a soldier embarks on a remarkable journey across the frontiers of a broken continent to reach his home and the artist he loves.

On a hazardous trek he encounters friend and foe while at home the world is undergoing a menacing transformation as people struggle to survive. On the Other Side of the War is a black comedy about finding hope in despair and asks if art can change the world.

This new piece of commissioned writing is by Ed Hartland. Ed is Associate Writer at Butterfly Theatre Collective and has written an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland for the company that toured in the UK and Germany and Secrets Unlocked staged at Jersey’s 16 New Street. Ed’s first feature film, When the Screaming Starts, premiered at FrightFest and has since been an official selection at film festivals in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Director Aileen Gonsalves has worked for many years across Europe on immersive Shakespeare with the company she founded, Butterfly Theatre Collective. For over two decades she has worked with the RSC in Stratford, London and internationally as an actor and director. Her book Shakespeare and Meisner co-written with Dr Tracy Irish outlines her pioneering new acting method the Gonsalves Method which she teaches worldwide. She is also an Associate Director with Kali Theatre Company.

On the Other Side of the War will be performed by a company of 19 actors and is a great opportunity to see emerging talent from one of the UK’s top Drama Schools. Graduates of this course include the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild winner Claire Foy (The Crown, Women Talking), Maimuna Memon, nominated for Best Supporting Role in a Musical at this year’s Olivier Awards for Standing At the Sky’s Edge at the National Theatre, and writer/performer of award-winning Manic Street Creature (coming to Southwark Playhouse Borough in October 2023) and Jude Owusu, very recently in the award-winning production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Gielgud Theatre in London.