In the mid-1960s, a perplexing animal experiment took place in the Virgin Islands, funded by NASA, where a dolphin named Peter was taught to communicate in human language. Peter lived with his instructor, Margaret Howe, in a water-filled house for several months, leading to a unique human-animal dynamic. Unfortunately, the experiment ended tragically with Peter's death, raising questions about whether it constituted an act of animal suicide due to the unusual circumstances of his captivity.

The story has inspired playwright Pipsa Lonka to create a new production titled 'Peter lived in a house – dolphin point to point,' which will debut at the Espoo Theater. This play is part of a broader phenomenon in the arts that examines the relationship between humans and animals, often referred to as the 'animal turn.' Lonka's work dives into the themes of human love for animals and challenges the audience to contemplate how we wish to treat other species.

Lonka emphasizes that animal love does not always lead to positive treatment; instead, it can frequently showcase a blind affection that overlooks the true needs and well-being of the creatures involved. Through this artistic exploration, the theater piece aims to provoke discussions about empathy, responsibility, and the nature of our connections with animals, especially in contexts where they are subjected to human control and influence.