This has been quite a few years in the making, but it is finally here…

Written by Inua Ellams 

Directed by Roy Alexander Weiss

"There are powers that bind the world together, softer than spirits yet stronger than stone, that tie the river to the tree, the tree to rain clouds, rain clouds to the land, and people to each other." 

The award-winning Once Upon a Time in Sokoto tells the epic story of a beautiful but unlikely friendship forged between a slave and her former master. Differences in faith, culture and heritage are overcome in the face of new enemies, in a gripping family drama set against the backdrop of events leading to the creation of Nigeria. 

Winner of the 2024 Alfred Fagon Award for Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, Nigeria-born Inua Ellams is an internationally celebrated poet, playwright and artist. He has published four poetry collections and his plays include the hugely popular and critically acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles (Fuel/National Theatre, UK and international tour) and the award-winning The 14th Tale (Fuel/UK tour). 



Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is presented in association with Touring Together - a new national programme bringing bold stories that shine a fresh light on the world we live in today to audiences across the country. Touring Together is a China Plate and Fuel initiative in collaboration with Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre, generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. 



- Royal & Derngate, Northampton - 28 September - 10 October 2026 
- Oxford Playhouse - 13-17 October 2026 
- Nottingham Playhouse - 29-31 October 2026  
- Warwick Arts Centre - 5-7 November 2026 
- Leeds Playhouse - 11-14 November 2026 
- Brighton Dome - 17-21 November 2026 
- Bristol Old Vic - 2-13 February 2027 

I’m heading down to West London for an in-conversation with about art, poetry, theatre, and African-hood. This intimate event is presented by the Little Lagos Kollective (LLK), and I’ll be chatting with Nike Awoyinka and DJ Edu. Tickets are free, but booking is essential.

Fri 25 Sep / 7:30 PM 

Mason & Fifth
11a Woodfield Road
Westbourne Park,
London W9 2BA
Free / Book Here

So, these are the last two performances of this show for the year – and perhaps for a while, or for ever – because to be honest, I am not sure if in telling this story, I have contributed in anyway to making things better or worse for immigrants.

I born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother in what is now considered to be Boko Haram territory, and left Nigeria for England in 1996 aged 12. Littered with poems, stories and anecdotes, this tells my ridiculous, fantastic, poignant immigrant-story of escaping fundamentalist Islam, finding friendship in Dublin, performing solo at the National Theatre, and drinking wine with the Queen of England, all the while without a country to belong to or a place to call home.

Oct 6 & 7 / 8:10 PM 

The Maria Theatre / Young Vic
66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ
£24 / Book Here

So, these are the last two performances of this show for the year – and perhaps for a while, or for ever – because to be honest, I am not sure if in telling this story, I have contributed in anyway to making things better or worse for immigrants.

I born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother in what is now considered to be Boko Haram territory, and left Nigeria for England in 1996 aged 12. Littered with poems, stories and anecdotes, this tells my ridiculous, fantastic, poignant immigrant-story of escaping fundamentalist Islam, finding friendship in Dublin, performing solo at the National Theatre, and drinking wine with the Queen of England, all the while without a country to belong to or a place to call home.

Oct 6 & 7 / 8:10 PM 

The Maria Theatre / Young Vic
66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ
£24 / Book Here