Octopus is set in a dystopian world of bureaucratic box ticking

The new play has wowed audiences in Edinburgh and London and is now heading to Dorset.

Afsaneh Gray's first full-length play Octopus comes to Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on June 22 at 8pm.

Organisers described it as ‘staged against the backdrop of Brexit, Octopus is set in a dystopian world of bureaucratic box ticking. It explores what it’s like to be treated as a foreigner in your own land and the power of punk.’

The play follows Sarah, Sara and Scheherazade who have nothing in common but are called for an interview to determine how British they are - a new requirement for those who are considered to have ‘non-indigenous heritage.’

Afsaneh Gray was born in Oxford to an Iranian mother and Jewish father, and Octopus was inspired by her own experiences of growing up in the UK with mixed heritage. Directed by Fringe First winning director Pia Furtado and presented by Paper Tiger Productions and the Greenwich Theatre, Octopus has received “rave reviews from audience and critics.”

Ahead of the Dorset performance, Gray said: “Brexit continues to be a really divisive topic so I’m hoping the play will bring people together to discuss the issues around what it means to be British, whichever way they voted.”

There will be post-show debates after most performances.

Contact the box office for more information.