Knight Watch

By
Inua Ellams

Commissioned by
The Albany

Produced by
Fuel

Developed with support from
the Almedia Festival

Dates
23 Jun - 21 Sep 2012

Artist/Company
Inua Ellams

Fuel presents Inua Ellams’ Knight Watch

In a world where tower blocks are stone mountains and city walls are urban tapestries retelling epic fights, Michael keeps away from the warring tribes until a passerby helps him out of a tight situation. Instantly, he is pulled into the gang culture he has tried to escape. The city spirals out of control as battle lines are drawn but will Michael succeed in ending the war?

In rhythmic, sizzling poetry, and with a live soundtrack from drummer Aki Fujimoto and flautist Mikey Kirkpatrick, Inua Ellams conjured the violence of a city not unlike London and imagined a more beautiful world beyond it.

Knight Watch was performed outside in hidden corners across the city.

Watch a rehearsal interview with Inua Ellams

Watch a rehearsal interview with Zashiki Warashi on YouTube

Listen to an extract of Knight Watch on Audiobook

Commissioned by The Albany. Funded by Arts Council England. Developed with support from the Almedia Festival.

Production images: Sheila Burnett

#KnightWatch

"Ellams's scorching piece of spoken-word performance is an intense and dense 40-minute monologue."

The Guardian

"This wiry young poet, playwright and performer weds a quietly commanding stage presence to a facility for rhythmically crafted language."

The Times

Knight Watch

Fuel presents Inua Ellams’ Knight Watch

#KnightWatch

Project History