Professor George Grey is a brilliant behavioural biologist who, alongside her recently deceased husband, became world-renowned for her pioneering research into octopus intelligence. Mainly the intelligence of one particular octopus, in fact: Frances, who still resides in a large, purpose-built tank in George’s campus accommodation.

Into this house of grief walks Harry, an ambitious anthropologist, despatched by the university with permission to test his breath-taking new theory on Frances. The nature of his assignment is shocking to George, and threatens to tear her world apart in more ways than one.

Marek Horn’s plays include Wild Swimming (Edinburgh Fringe and Bristol Old Vic) and Yellowfin (Southwark Playhouse). Octopolis is directed by Ed Madden and is his second collaboration with Marek. Ed’s credits include Yellowfin (Southwark Playhouse), A Table Tennis Play (Edinburgh Fringe) and the original production of Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons.

Ewan Miller plays Harry. Ewan made his London stage debut in 2022 in Much Ado About Nothing (National Theatre) and other theatre credits include The Comedy of Errors and A Christmas Carol (Citizens Theatre). Recent screen credits include ITV's Crime.

Jemma Redgrave plays Professor George Gray. Previous theatre credits include Farewell To The Theatre (Hampstead Theatre); Mood Music (Old Vic); An Ideal Husband and The Cherry Orchard (Chichester Festival Theatre). Her extensive TV credits include Silent Witness; Granchester; Holby City; Doctor Who and her film credits include Howard’s End and Love and Friendship.

CONTENT WARNINGS - octopolis

This production contains strong language and references to death.

Please note that our content warnings evolve as the production does throughout rehearsal and previews, so there may be changes made between booking and attending the theatre. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about specific themes or concerns, please call the Box Office on 020 7722 9301 or email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com