Inua Ellams’ Once Upon a Time in Sokoto Comes To Bristol
The show will be at Bristol Old Vic in February 2027
Epic and gripping new family drama Once Upon a Time in Sokoto by Inua Ellams, will be coming to Bristol early next year as part of a world premiere tour.
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, is the story of an “extremely unlikely friendship between an enslaved woman and her former mistress,” Ellams says.
“It explores power, faith, heritage and culture,” he continues.
“It’s a period drama set in the mid-late 1800s pre-colonial Nigeria, and I’ve always been fascinated by how the legacy of this time still influences and resonates with global perceptions and politics today.”
The cast has already been announced as Adeola Yemitan, Antonia Layiwola, Will Atiomo and Bayo Gbadamosi.
Director Roy Alexander Weise called Ellams’ new play “extraordinary”.
“It’s big and theatrical, witty and funny, brutal, bold, beautiful and plays with time in a stunning way,” he says.
“I’m always curious about how history and time work in stories, and how time works on us as humans. At the heart are the stories of two very different fictional women but these characters feel familiar.”
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto peels back the hidden history of pre-colonial African Islamic civilisation – the Sokoto Caliphate – which were located in the northern region of what is now modern day Nigeria.
The play was commissioned by theatre producers Fuel in association with Touring Together – a national touring initiative led by both China Plate and Fuel. The partnership aims to take brand new theatre on tours around the country.
Ellams picked up the Alfred Fagon Award for it in 2024
Alfred Fagon himself was a playwright and poet from Jamaica. He migrated to England in 1955, at one point living in Bristol where he became an actor.
There is a bronze bust commemorating him in a park on Grosvenor Road in St Pauls.
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto explores themes of friendship, faith, culture and heritage in the face of new enemies and the political backdrop of events which led to the creation of Nigeria.
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto will be at Bristol Old Vic 02 – 13 February 2026
For more information or to book, visit: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/once-upon-a-time-in-sokoto-2027
Cast and Creatives
Adeola Yemitan – Nafisa Sarauniya
Antonia Layiwola – Zinari Zangina
Will Atiomo – Yusef Dawdu
Bayo Gbadamosi – Hadiru Zhango
Writer – Inua Ellams
Director – Roy Alexander Weise
Set Designer – Amelia Jane Hankin
Composer – Femi Temowo
Movement Director – Coral Messam
Costume Designer – Jessica Cabassa
Casting Director – Heather Basten
CDG Associate Director – Brigitte Adela
Production Manager – Helen Mugridge
Featured Image: Malik Afegbua
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