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 

The Good Immigrant

Ten years ago, The Good Immigrant was crowdfunded in three days, declared a Sunday Times bestseller, and described by Zadie Smith as 'a must-read'. The publishing industry had said no. The public said otherwise.

Now 21 voices asking what it really means to be ‘other’ in Britain — to grow up here, belong here, and still be made to feel like a guest in your own country —are back live on stage. To mark the book’s 10th anniversary, editor Nikesh Shukla chairs a live panel bringing together original contributors to The Good Immigrant, to reflect on what’s changed in Britain in the decade since publication, what hasn’t.

I’ll be with Nikesh Shukla, Wei Ming Kam, Varaidzo, Kieran Yates, Salena Godden, Dr Darren Chetty and Vera Cho.

Sun 13 Sep / 7.30 pm
Soho Theatre Walthamstow
186 Hoe Street, London E17 4QH
£29.00 / Book here

Future Sounds RAP Party x Outspoken

What song would you save for the future? What would be the soundtrack to your oncoming life? What melody would you need years from now? How could you say this in a letter? Ten of today’s most forward-thinking writers share their work and the songs that stir them for you to move to.

Come through for this in a house-party chill atmosphere, hearing from actor and activist Khalid Abdalla, performer and writer Travis Alabanza, journalist Iman Amrani, poet Anthony Anaxagorou, poet and playwright Inua Ellams, author Ashley Hickson-Lovence, musician Che Lingo, poet Rachel Long, author Caitlin O’Ryan and author Joelle Taylor.

Fri 18 Sep / 7.30pm
Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
From £14.00 / Book here

NUA ELLAMS: MY “RIDICULOUS, FANTASTIC” IMMIGRANT STORY

Join award winning journalist and author Jonathan Freedland in conversation with the poet and playwright for an exclusive event.

Inua Ellams MBE is a cross-disciplinary artist, originally from Nigeria, known for ‘The Barbershop Chronicles’, Doctor Who and sold-out theatre shows.

Inua’s story includes escaping fundamentalist Islam, performing at the National Theatre, and drinking wine with the Queen, all without a country to belong to or place to call home.

Join us for drinks and nibbles, hear why Inua champions refugee rights and more about The Bike Project’s inspiring work to give refugees a bike of their own, with moving stories from refugees.

Date / Tue Sept 22
RSVP / 9am Mon Sept 2s
Time / 6-8pm
Tix / Free / Book here
Add / The Mills Fabrica, 36-40 York Way, Kings Cross, N1 9AB

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