Once Upon a Time in Sokoto
By Inua Ellams | Directed by Roy Alexander WeiseTickets go on sale to Circle members on Thu 25 Jun, Lavender members on Tue 30 Jun, and Orange members on Wed 1 Jul, all at 10am. Tickets will go on general sale on Thu 2 Jul at 10am.
Become a Member to gain access to priority booking and other exclusive benefits.
“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), the award-winning The 14th Tale (Fuel/UK tour) and his retelling of Three Sisters (National Theatre).
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is presented in association with Touring Together – a new national programme, bringing bold stories which 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 and Derngate, Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre, generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Praise for Barber Shop Chronicles:
Such an ambitious piece and so life-affirmingly realised. Go.
The Independent
Remarkable. A cut above the rest.
Observer
Warmth, wisdom and global reach
Daily Telegraph
