Nottingham Playhouse today announces the Alfred Fagon Award-winning play Once Upon a Time in Sokoto by Inua Ellams, as the final part of its autumn programme.
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. It runs from Thu 29 – Sat 31 October at Nottingham Playhouse.
“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.”
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is by Nigeria-born Inua Ellams, 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 (Fuel/National Theatre).
Chief Executive Stephanie Sirr said:
“Inua Ellams is one of the most articulate and poetic voices writing for theatre. This piece is so moving and, we hope, really resonant to many of our communities.”
Ola Ince is a critically acclaimed and award-winning theatre, film, and opera director. In 2019 she was named one of the Elle list’s ‘50 Game Changers of Now’, and received the Peter Hall Bursary Award (2020). Ola was Artistic Associate at the Royal Court Theatre from 2018-2022.
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto completes the autumn programme line-up for Nottingham Playhouse, beginning with Beth Steel’s Till the Stars Come Down 5 – 26 Sep; Once Upon a Time in Sokoto 29 – 31 Oct; Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) 2 – 7 Nov; August Wilson’s Fences, 10 – 14 Nov and finally, Aladdin, 27 Nov – 16 Jan 2027.
Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is announced as part of a brand-new nationwide touring initiative by China Plate and Fuel, called ‘Touring Together’, in collaboration with Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre. Touring Together is a strategic partnership for producing and touring new midscale theatre, bringing bold new plays to audiences.
Tickets are now on sale and available from nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/once-upon-a-time-in-sokoto/
Posted on 21 April 2026
