tour starts
tour ends
Octopus
by Paper Tiger Productionscomedy, theatre
Octopus is a satire about what it means to be British set in a post-Brexit future of bureaucratic box ticking and absurd interviews.
about the production
Three women have been called for interview to determine how British they are. Sara looks sort of Asian. Scheherazade looks sort of Middle Eastern. And Sarah looks sort of white and has no idea why she's here. An anarchic take on what it means to be British ("Laugh-out-loud funny" The Times), Octopus explores what it feels like to be treated as a foreigner in your own land...and the power of punk. Directed by Fringe-First-winner Pia Furtado, Octopus is the post-Brexit play written before Brexit, a hilariously funny take on the serious issue of who gets to be 'one of us'.
about the artist
Paper Tiger Productions is a BAME-led collective of theatre and filmmakers (Afsaneh Gray, Tanya Singh and Omar El-Khairy). We tell stories that challenge received wisdoms and undermine dominant narratives. We are currently resident at the New Diorama Theatre and have previously been resident at Ovalhouse and Camden Peoples Theatre. This tour will be co-produced by the Greenwich Theatre.
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stage dimensions
width: 4 metres
height: 2 metres
depth: 3 metres
A general cover rig with a colour wash, colour-changing LED if possible. If not possible an Aqua Blue and a punky pink back and side wash would be ideal. Specials: one sharp, warm narrow spot DSL and one soft, cold highlight against the back wall CS. A microphone on a stand is required DSR.
Ages 14+. Great for reaching diverse audiences, but also a fantastic jumping-off point for local conversations about Brexit and national identity.
[An] inspired satirical take on post-Brexit attitudes with more than a few jaw-dropping laughs along the way.
Although the ending is enough to leave you laughing, the play’s unique way of addressing the issues of modern day Britishness give you a lot to think about as you walk away.
This is a story built on complex issues – about the unresolvable, ever-changing nature of identity. In a time when the debate around race and nationality is increasingly characterised by knee-jerk responses and harmful rhetoric, Octopus feels both remarkably timely and refreshingly raw.
We would be keen to offer a relaxed performance during longer runs. Sadly we don't have the budget at the moment to provide BSL interpreters or audio description, but we are committed to making our show as accessible as possible and are happy to consider any suggestions from venues about how we can best achieve this.
Where possible, we would like to partner with local youth groups and other community organisations, exploring the themes of identity and belonging, and facilitating creative responses. We have prepared an Education Pack that can go out to local schools, and are happy to provide workshops to tie in with Key Stage 4 Citizenship Studies or Drama. We have previous experience of delivering workshops, having worked with organisations such as Islington Community Theatre, Providence House Youth Centre and the Kenya Theatre Company.
Ideally we are looking for guarantees of about £1000 but will consider splits.
