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First Story x Six Words

Ernest Hemingway famously wrote a six word novel - For Sale / Babies Shoes / Never Worn - and First Story, the magnificent organisation that creates writing projects for young people, asked a bunch of writers to write their own six-word story.

I was one such fellow, and all the stories are up for auction. They include David Baddiel, Diana Evans, Louise Doughty, Neil Gaiman, Jackie Kay, Linton Kwesi Johnson… 23 writers in all, 23 incredible short short stories.

Bidding closes on the 2nd of November… help yourself to one of these gems.

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Out of the Margins

In collaboration with Christie’s auction house, I’m taking part in this really magnificent fundraiser in support of refugee artists… a whole bunch of playwrights - 50 of the best - annotated first edition copies of their plays with memories, reflections and thoughts in the margins of their iconic text.

All are part of an online auction - here's mine - and the list includes Jez Butterworth, David Hare, Dennis Kelly, James Graham, Ben Power, Jack Thorne, Tom Stoppard, Tanika Gupta, Sabrina Mahfouz, Suzie Miller, Lynn Nottage… and more.

It’s an honour to be counted among them, but a greater honour to be contributing to a good cause. The auction Starts: 15 September and  Ends: 6 October, 2pm. You should take part in this. Look at the gems you could win….


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Honorary Doctorate

Last week, I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from University Of The Arts, London. It meant more to me than the faculty knew at the time, which I explained in the acceptance speech I gave on the day. Marshalling my partner and my family together for the day was an uphill struggle, but a week after, thinking about, and looking at the photos, I am proud of myself and my family - of what we have survived together and have been able to build.

Honorary Doctorate Speech / 11/07/2023


The last university I applied to was Goldsmith University, to study a masters in English Literature, in 2008. I’d lived in the uk since 1996, for 12 years at the time, but because my immigration case was still pending, by Home Office rules, I was classed as an international student – a status that tripled the school fees, which meant I could not afford to go. I spoke with the staff, explained my predicament, that I was in limbo, but there was nothing they could do. Rules were rules they said. I had to turn down the offer.

Days later the course lecturer reached out to explain he taught my work on the course. I’d been writing and performing poetry for years and some of that work had crept into academic circles. The lecturer explained that if I had made it on the course, I may have had to write an essay about my work for him to mark, which would have made a mockery of his classroom. So he advised, not to be too down about the outcome. Years before, I only turned to writing - I only became a writer - because I could not afford art materials. Pens were cheaper than paint, I’d write out the pictures in my head.

And before applying to Goldsmiths to study creative writing, I applied to UAL to this university to study graphic design. I showed my portfolio at the interview, again I was accepted, and again immigration rules priced me out of education. International student status again, I couldn’t afford to go. However, because I am my father’s son, because my mother taught me the value of eduction, because I am Nigerian, so naturally enterprising, and because Naija no dey carry last - I worked around these hurdles…

I befriend groups of students from Goldsmiths and UAL, who would sneak me into lectures in both institutions. I’d pretend to be one of them, taking notes by day, further researching by night, applying them to the work I was making, many of which have been mentioned tonight.

So today means more than you can imagine, a recognition from this university, an honorary award from the very institution I could not afford to attend, a doctorate no less! And I didn’t have to pay a penny… this is is a gift above asking, one I could not have imagined.

Though I thrived without full higher level education, I understand what I didn’t get experience: shared learning, a body of students, growing, nourishing and inspiring each other, essentially a sense of a community, of artists. It is still a hole in me, which perhaps this award may some way fill.

I never seek to be political, I am not an activist, but politics always finds me, and in wanting to learn, I found myself in the jaws of harsh anti-immigrant policies.

As global migration intensifies with climates changing, in increasingly hostile environments, should the wind rush other immigrants across treacherous waters to arrive at our shores, should they show a passion for learning, my plea to the educators here is simple: bend the rules when you can, break the rules if will, but let them learn, let us learn.

I’d like to thank my family and partner for supporting my artistic pursuits despite those hurdles, my oldest friend Jack Prideaux who was there from the start, Stella Odunlami for building with me, and the faculty for this, for the everything this is.

Thank you x





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05 Fest x Barbican

Tue 26—Sat 30 Sep 2023 / 6 - 7:30pm

Last year, I wished to find a way to unite all my live events, so I started 05 Fest. Can you remember? The inaugural festival - which puts poetry and words centre stage - happened last year at The Albany in London in February, quickly followed by the second fest at The Abbey in Dublin, Ireland in June.

I’m excited to let y’all know the next fest will be at the Barbican Centre in London, this September. I’m keeping all the secrets to myself for now - I shan’t say who is on the line up – but I’m working with over 35 writers, thinkers and artists to present 5 unforgettable evenings at The Barbican – one of the most magnificent art centres in Europe.

This fest features 2 Search Parties, 1 Poetry + Film / Hack, and 1 R.A.P Party, but I’ll also be presenting two new events: Anonyms - a live exuberant discussion on names, meanings and personal mythology, and Redacted - a quick-fire blackout poetry exercise with deliberately poor psychoanalysis!

As usual, demystifying the creative process is at the heart of my events: removing all airs and graces, all the bullsh*t about the creation of art and democratising space – this what it’s all about, and each event makes room for audience participation and interaction. I really hope you will spend some time with us: So, save the evenings for the festival.


Doors / 7:45 pm / Show 8.00pm
Date / 26 - 30 Sep 2023 / Tix £5 - 18 / Book Here.

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Barber Shop Chronicles / Kenya

A little known fact about my play, Barbershop Chronicles, is that I also travelled to Kenya to research. The play is set in five African cities: Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra, and in London, but it was meant to be six African cities including - Nairobi.

I could not make the scene in Nairobi serve the larger narrative, so we had cut it from the play – one day I’ll do something with that scene – but it gives me then the great pleasure to announce that the play will be read in Nairobi, at the Goethe-Institut Library this Friday, tomorrow. If you are there or have friends in the there, please share. It is happening for one night only!

Time / 6pm
Date / June 16 / free / book from here.
Venue / Goethe Institut / 1st Flr. Maendeleo House / Monrovia St / Nairobi / Kenya.

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Full Cast

And we’re fully cast! It took some time to find the right alchemy, but I believe we have discovered the perfect blend. This exceedingly rich, talented crew will bring The Half -God of Rainfall to life at the New York Theatre Workshop this summer.

In 5 weeks, Jason Bowen will take the stage as Sango - the brash God of Thunder, Mister Fitzgerald as Demi - the vengeful god-son, Patrice Johnson Chevannes as Osun - the River Goddess, Michael Laurence as Zeus - the God-King all-father, Lizan Mitchell as Elegba - guardian of the crossroads, Jennifer Mogbock as Modupe - high priestess and warrior mother, and Alexander Silber as Hera - Queen-God and protector of women.

We have a magnificent supporting cast of creatives: Orlando Pabotoy - Movement Director, Ricardo Hernandez - Scenic Design, Stacey Derosier - Lighting Design, Tal Yarden - Projection Design, Dawn-Elin Fraser - Voice & Dialect Director, Linda Cho - Costume Design, Mikaal Sulaiman - Sound design, Ann James - Intimacy Director, and Caroline Englander - Stage Manager.

It takes a village to raise a child and our child is the play. Come see her dance…

Time / 7pm

Date / 13 July - 20 August / Tix $25 - $65 / book here.

Venue / New York Theatre Workshop / 79 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

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Fuck / Batman X Play Drop

Day 4 / Day 5


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Fuck / Batman & Press Play >



I am a Batman fan, and when articles of the possible source of the various pointed the finger at bats, I grew… conflicted. I began comparing the genesis of Spiderman (who was bitten by a radio active spider) with what might have happened in Wuhan, shared my fears with my friend, Deborah Yewande Bankole, who instantly incinerated the idea of Batman as a hero in the first place. This short audio play, recorded binaurally*, is the fallout, a dramatisation of our conversation.

Binaural recording involves both ears. Noise is recorded in the way the human ear and brain works to receive sound. The play was recorded as though you, the listener, were sat between Deborah and I as we argued. You’ll need some good headphones. The play was commissioned by Story Futures and all recorded and edited during lockdown. The poem was the last one written for The Actual, and was by far, the most difficult.

I hope you enjoy it. You can read the poem, and purchase the whole book here from Penned in the margins.

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Fuck / Beethoven X Essay Drop

Day 3 / Day 5


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Fuck / Beethoven & Press Play >


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So, sometime last year, BBC Radio 3 hollered at your boy to write an essay about Beethoven. Fortunately, I had written a poem about him in The Actual, but it was called Fuck / Symphonies. I backtracked my thoughts, un-writing the poem, undoing its mechanism, its inspirations, its nuances, tracing it right back to my earliest memories of music… and this is that essay. It was recorded early during lockdown here in London.

I hope you enjoy it. You can read the whole poem right here where it was first published, and go ahead, why not purchase the whole book here from Penned in the margins. #fuckAmazon

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Fuck / Tupac x Film & Visual Art Drop

Day 2 / Day 5


Fuck / Tupac x Film

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Written and Performed by Inua Ellams
Artwork by Inua Ellams
Film by Jamie Macdonald


Tupac x Inua

Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, 1971 and he died on September 13, 1996. Better known by his stage name 2Pac, and by his alias, Makaveli, he was an American rapper and songwriter. He is considered to be one of the most influential rappers of all time. In his music, he addressed social issues that continue to plagued inner cities, and he is considered a symbol of resistance and activism against inequality. He was born in Manhattan, New York City, but moved to San Francisco in 1988. At this time, I was a 4 year old rugrat in Jos, Nigeria, unaware of him.

When he moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to further pursue his music career. I to Lagos, Nigeria, I was 9 years old and I still didn’t know who he was. By the time he released his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, he had become a central figure in West Coast hip hop, introducing social issues into the genre at a time when gangsta rap was everywhere. Shakur achieved further critical and commercial success with his follow-up albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z (1993) and Me Against the World (1995). The following year, 1996, I moved to London, and I still didnt really get hip hop. I enjoyed music and melody, but I couldn’t understand why in hip hop, the dudes talking over the music seemed to be constantly angry. This was because I was ignorant to many things, racism, inequality, desperation and rage.

Shakur became heavily involved in the growing East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry between 1995 and 1996. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he died six days later and the gunman was never captured.

In 1998, two years after the had passed, two years after I had been in London, perhaps she most famous song, Changes, was released. In the song, the line “They get jealous when they see you with your mobile phone” was what pulled me into listening to the lyrics, because a close friend of mine had had his first mobile phone stolen as I waled beside him. His name was Jack, and later on in Change, at 3.30 exactly, Tupac says:

“Don’t let ‘em jack you up, back you up
crack you up and pimp smack you up.
You gotta learn to hold ya own
They get jealous when they see ya
with ya mobile phone”.

It seemed he had posthumously conjured my friend in his song. I began listening, and the more I listened, the more poetry, craft, artistry, flow, voice - the sheer blend of it all - began to grow in me.

I moved to Dublin in 1991. Dublin was in its infancy regarding race relations. After the painful discovery (and experience) of racism in London, I moved to Dublin where things were far worse. There was a belief that Africans could not read, that Black People where backwards and animalistic. In my first English class, I raised my had offering to read from the text we were studying, and the whole class laughed at me. Some days later, in an astonishing show of solidarity, the teacher asked if I was a fan of Tupac’s work. When I confirmed so, she played Do for Love to the class, making them listen in silence as she and I nodded to beat and lyrics. I talked about this incident in a poem called On kindness (commissioned by Andy Craven Griffiths) but what happened next is what deepened my appreciation of Tupac. I joined the school Basketball team.

Naturally, they avidly subscribed to African American culture and hip hop. They knew more about East Coast and West Coast “beef” than I did, and they taught me to really listen. Our school basketball coach was also its best poetry teacher, and him him, in our games and after-game rituals, the worlds collided; poetry beckoned. Tupac’s songs Dear Mama, I get Around, Keep ya head Up, Me Against The World and Brenda’s Got a Baby, began to speak differently to me, and as I listened, I found that they explained Ireland to me. I saw the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the clashes and rivalries that existed between sections of the country, the intense poverty the gripped the area that I lived in, crime in the city and more. The passing fascination I had about Tupac, grew to a profound loss.

I often think of what Tupac would have said about the #BlackLivesMatter movement, about President Donald Trump, President Barak Hussein Obama, about calls for police reform. In Changes, you can find clues:

“Cops give a damn about a negro
Pull the trigger kill a nigga he’s a hero”

“I see no changes all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races”

“And although it seems heaven sent
We ain’t ready, to see a black President”

“It ain’t a secret, don’t conceal the fact
The penitentiary’s packed,
and it’s filled with blacks”

Thinking about all this led to writing Fuck / Tupac, the first poem in my latest book of poetry, The Actual. The poem reads as many things, and critique of toxic masculinity, crime, brutal policing and more, but first and fore-mostly it is an elegy for Tupac, a lamentation of his premature death.


Fuck / Tupac x Visual Art


Before I became a writer, I had dreams of becoming a visual artist. Between the ages of 4 and 18, I spent most of my time drawing and painting. I eventually became a graphic designer, serving the poetry and book-publishing industry in 2003. Writing took over my life in 2009, but the graphic eye never turned blind, and as I finished writing the poem, a visual companion began growing in me. This is the artwork Jamie Macdonald animated above, and I present it to you here. You can download it, for your own personal enjoyment, in multiple sizes!


Standrad screen: 1600 × 1200

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Widescreen: 1920 × 1200

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Tablet: 2224 × 1668

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Phone: 1125 × 2436 (V1)

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Phone: 1125 × 2436 (V2)

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Phone: 1125 × 2436 (V3)

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Publication Day x The Actual / Fuck

Day 1 / Day 5


Publication Day


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The Actual is a symphony of personal and political fury — sometimes probing delicately, sometimes burning with raw energy. In 55 poems that swerve and crackle with a rare music, Inua Ellams unleashes a full-throated assault on empire and its legacies of racism, injustice and toxic masculinity. Written on the author’s phone, in transit, between meetings, before falling asleep and just after waking, this is poetry as polemic, as an act of resistance, but also as dream-vision. At its heart, this book confronts the absolutism and ‘foolish machismo’ of hero culture-from Perseus to Trump, from Batman to Boko Haram. Through the thick gauze of history, these breathtaking poems look the world square in the face and ask, “What the actual—?”


Thanks to everyone who joined the proceedings in real time. I hope you enjoy re-watching. Don’t forget, you can order your copy from Penned In The Margins!

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