What is Octopus?
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were infected by a deadly sexually transmitted disease?
What if you have exposed your loved ones to the deadly infection by your own choices?
What would your love ones do if they found out that they were infected because of you?
These are the questions that the main characters in “Octopus”, written by Steve Yockey, are forced to deal with after a hastily planned night of “fun” with the 4 of them places them in the situation where one of them turns out to be positive. As the story progressed, audience gets to see how the newly discovered information threatened the relationship that both couples have with each other and how each reacts differently to the news. In the actions that the characters take as the story unfolds, “Octopus” puts out a mirror for the audience to reflect on themselves and discover if what they see on stage would be something that they could consider doing if they find themselves in similar situations.
“Octopus” is not all doom and gloom as love in the age of AIDS/HIV is still love nevertheless. It is also a story of commitments and the lengths that people would go to keep what’s most important to them. It presents the audience with 2 different and parallel ways that people deal with the problem that still plague us even after all these years. One may have a better outcome than the other but it may not be the easier path to choose when all is said and done.
While “Octopus” is firmly situated in the context of the gay community, it is by no means limited by it. The questions raised, motivations scrutinized and message reveals resounds on a universal level no matter which part of the sexual preference spectrum the audience choose to identify with. Like the disease itself, the message in “Octopus” does not discriminate. It is for all to hear, understand and share.
So what is Octopus?
Short answer … it is a play directed by Kelvin Wong, featuring Malik Taufiq, Jack Lua, Nandang Abdul Rahman, Edmund Wong & Will Quah which will be performed at Pentas 2, klpac from Dec 16 – 22nd,2010.
It is also an unapologetic gay play to opens a window into a situation that most people would never want to find themselves in which allows them to examine the possibilities of the what ifs within the context of the universal story being presented on stage.
It’s something that you will miss out if you don’t go and watch it yourself
(Cast of the Malaysian production of "Octopus by Steve Yockey
*STRICTLY FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY*Date & Time: 16 – 18 Dec & 20 – 22 Dec @ 8:30pm; 19 Dec @ 3pm
Venue: Pentas 2, klpac
Venue Map: http://www.klpac.com/Welcome.asp?c=venuelocation
Ticket Price: RM38 (adults), RM25 (students & the disabled)
