Octopuses and Other Sea Creatures
Octopuses and other Sea Creatures is a stunning immersive light and sound experience inspired by the wonderful Octopus Medicine poems of Becci Louise. Prepare to be amazed.
For three nights in November 2023, in Portsmouth Cathedral Octopuses and Other Sea Creatures took audiences on an adventure of audio-visual magic and mystery. A journey deep undersea to experience the wonder of the ocean, explore its depths, and meet the Octopus who secretly sits at its hidden heart.
This dazzling performance tells the story of the ocean, how humans have impacted it and how it is impacting us.
The octopus has long been seen as a threat to seafarers, a monster, an alien species. But what if it is really our friend, a companion species? – If we listen carefully, what story will it tell us?
With the Octopus as their medicine animal and guide, the audience found themselves connected with the wonder of the ocean, both as an other-world and as an eco-system upon which all our terrestrial lives thoroughly rely.
Portsmouth has a symbiotic relationship with the sea and would not exist without it. Generations of local people owe their livelihoods to the ocean, having served in, or helped service the Royal Navy, fished in local waters, or worked in our tourism industry.
Octopuses and Other Sea Creatures provided an opportunity for residents in the city to revisit their relationship with the city’s waterfront at a time when the ocean’s power threatens the city, while at the same time the harm we have done to it threatens the planet.
Created by: Roy Hanney, Angela Parks, Rusty Sheriff, Kim Balouch, Becci Louise, Thomas Buckley, Joe Hufton, Leonardo Lami, and Mike Townsend.
The Diver: Mark Wingett.
With thanks to: Lisa Seaurchin, Christine Lawrence, Kim Balouch, Eileen Phyall, Sandra Maria, Alison Habens and all members of the Octopus writing workshop, Matt Wingett, Neil Brooming and students at Solent University, Splodge Designs, Pamodzi Creatives, Anna Flynn, Groundlings Theatre, Portsmouth Cathedral, and Visual Elements.
Performance audio credits:
- Ian Stannard – Percussion
- Philip Crow – Bass
- MAYSUN – Samples
- Friday Night Weird Dreams “Liepaja”
- Matthew Poulter – Piano
- Bernadette Pamplin – Reading
- Claire Perry – Reading
- Jon Hamer – Reading
- Gemma Hamer – Reading
- Stuart Williams – Reading
- Laura Fox – Octopus Voice
Video Credits: Pexels, Videvo, Pond5
YouTube Users: The Secret Vault MX Time Bunny Steve Cloke NetDiver Uplinkkpdx Welshleema Pavel Kosenko
A We Shine Portsmouth event funded by Arts Council England and sponsored by Articulate Sage Limited produced by one000plateaus.
