An octopus has a nervous system with tentacles that can make independent decisions, and they can change colour according to their emotions.
So does it follow that cephalopods have a developed consciousness - a soul?
That’s the scientific and anthropological question at the heart – or three hearts if you’re an octopus - of Marek Horn’s cerebral yet deeply humane drama.
Despite laugh out loud one liners and energetic star performances from Jemma Redgrave and Ewan Miller, Horn’s writing is dense and the play feels longer than its 1 hour 40 minutes.
George, a revered behavioral biologist is horrified when Harry, an ambitious anthropologist, turns up at her home following the recent death of her husband.
Subsumed by grief, her lifeline is her relationship with the wondrous octopus Frances, who lives in a tank in her living room. The stage is dominated by an expanse of glass, back-lit by changing colours alluding to Frances' emotional range.
George and Harry debate ideas and, to their surprise, fall in love. We never see Frances but only glimpse swirls of water. The dialogue is littered with one-liners that up-end as academic riffs, especially when George and Harry editorialize their personal memories in direct addresses as if noting them down in the detached language of academic journals.
Both characters evaluate their emotions – failings and expressions of joy – in relation to their adored octopus friend.
The basis of Horn’s play was the discovery off the coast of Australia of a population of octopuses engaging in complex social interactions; their community subsequently named Octopolis. Perhaps proof that Octopuses aren’t such solitary creatures indicates that solitary George and Harry will evolve and manage to stay together.
Director Ed Madden embraces the oddities and many layers of the script by making a feature of movement and music, which will delight fans of David Bowie. Why not feature the star man’s music given it speaks to outsiders, and if an octopus has a developed form of intelligence - is it an alien mind?
It’s a bit of a stretch, but when George and Harry dance like gawky, euphoric students, it’s undeniably heart-warming.
Octopolis runs at Hampstead Theatre until October 28.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here