The Ocean is Waking up says the Octopus & Other Sea Creatures!

Three short audio-poems are being released to coincide with Portsmouth Bookfest 2022.  The audio-poems have been produced as part of a huge Arts Council funded project in Portsmouth, called Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures, that takes places across the city between February and November. 

Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures includes creative workshops, exhibitions, puppetry, and a final event sited in Portsmouth Cathedral that will be co-created by high profile artists and local people. This thrilling project will engage with people across the city, giving them the opportunity to be part of this multi-media sensation and encourage them to develop a connection with the ocean, both as an otherworld and an eco-system upon which our own, terrestrial lives, thoroughly rely. Expect shadows from the deep, sea shaped spoken words, maritime musical musings and phosphorescence film projections from the artists behind events such as secret cinema’s ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Dead Poet’s Society’.

The audio-poems are taken from Octopus Medicine a collection of verse-stories written by poet and performer Becci Louise. They tell a story in three parts taking us from birth to final epiphany, as we learn how a young octopus goes on an unexpected journey to discover its true potential. These stories explore themes that should resonate with us all. They investigate our relationship to the marine environment and question the way in which humankind casts nature as monstrous at a time when our impact on the planet is increasingly threatening our own existence. Becci Louise told us:

“I’m so thrilled to bring these octopus stories to the shores of Portsmouth and to explore our relationship with the sea. I wrote this book as a way of showing that we share this planet with other, incredible, beautiful creatures who deserve our appreciation and respect. It feels that these stories have become more relevant, not less, and I hope that the octopus can teach us to adapt, change and grow into a better future”.

Becci Louise

Solent University lecturer Paul Stevens collaborated with music producer Simon Sinfield to create a soundscape for the audio-poems. Simon explained how he wanted to create a sound design that complemented and blended with the poetry. He said:

“My solution was to compose a different sound motif for each character. For example, Octopus and his mother are similar sounds but with the melodies reversed. He sounds inquisitive and optimistic, and his mother more reflective”.

Simon Sinfield

The release of the audio-poems are linked to a series of other Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures activities that are happening this spring. There are Octopus Medicine writing workshops for young people led by Becci Louise in the city’s libraries. A multi-media storytelling workshop for experienced writers led by Alison Norrington.

Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures will be launched at The Front Room Words & Music on Wednesday 23^rd February in The Loft above the Kings Pub, Albert Road. Becci Louise will also be reading from Octopus Medicine at the launch event and will be available to sign copies of the book.

The audio-poems, called A Prophet for the Sea, are available to download via the project website, Podbean and other channels.

II. An Octopus Garden – Octopus Medicine – The Prophet for the Sea

A baby octopus explores his world, building a garden outside his lair. But what are these strange objects falling from above? And who are the creatures that made them? Part 2 of a three-part series poet and performer Becci Louise narrates extracts from her collection of verse-stories Octopus Medicine.

1. II. An Octopus Garden 03:42
2. III. Beach Octopus 19:20
3. I. An Octopus Mother’s Last Prayer for Her Hatchling 02:13

OCTOPUS MEDICINE AUDIO-POEMS

1. An Octopus Mother’s Last Prayer for Her Hatchling (2’13”) – Deep in a coral reef, guarding her eggs, an old octopus mother relays her dying advice to her babies. They will face danger everywhere.
2. An Octopus Garden (3’42”) – A baby octopus explores his world, building a garden outside his lair. But what are these strange objects falling from above? And who are the creatures that made them?
3. Beach Octopus (19’20”) – Nearly an adult, the octopus discovers the shore and wants to become human. But it turns out learning to be human and learning to be a monster aren’t so different.

Written and performed by: Beccy Louise
Recording, composing, and sound design: Simon Sinfield
Producer: Paul Stevens
Executive producer: Roy Hanney

Octopuses and other Sea Creatures – 360° Deep

Launch event at The Front Room with performance & book signing by Becci Louise.

7pm, Wednesday 23^rd February, Tickets on the door £3

The Loft above the Kings Pub, Albert Road

Tickets on the door £3 and more information here!

Transmedia Storytelling for Writers with too much Imagination

Writers workshop with story guru Alison Norrington where you can get involved and start the story by creating your own characters and story ideas for Octopuses & Other Sea Creatures.

10am – 5pm, Saturday 26th February

Room W1.08, Eldon Building, Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth, PO1 2DJ

Tickets are available via our website.

Octopus Medicine – Young Peoples Creative Writing Workshops

Join poet Becci Louise for poetry writing, art-making and exploration, these workshops are perfect for creative souls and budding environmentalists.

Various dates from 22nd to 25th Feb at Libraries across Portsmouth

Tickets are available via our website.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the kind support of Portsmouth Library Service.