Fuel presents 

The 419 

Poetry by Inua Ellams, photography by Oluwamuyiwa “Logor” Logo  

“As a Nigerian expat living in England, I found that I had unconsciously digested the negative stereotypes associated with Nigerian financial dealings. The 419 represents an opportunity to explore and debunk and narrate those associations” – Inua Ellams 

“When poetry and photography meet, they tease out the soul of a place. In Nigeria’s case, that soul is layered, lyrical, and always on the brink of theatre” – Logor 

The 419 is a playful poetry and photography exhibition, where 14 sonnets and 14 portraits show how money flows through 14 lives on a typical day in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Whilst researching his play Barber Shop Chronicles in Lagos, poet Inua Ellams kept seeing the warning “This house is not for sale. Beware of 419” spray-painted on houses. His guide explained this referred to conmen breaking into and selling properties when their owners were away. 

Curiosity into what set of circumstances could drive such ’entrepreneurial’ risk-taking led Inua to write a series of interlinked ‘Nigerian Sonnets’ in the voices of men and women of various ages and socio-economic backgrounds, from a market labourer to a musician, to an elected official. 

These poems are snapshots of the hurdles faced by each individual, and who they ask to help overcome them. Humorous and heartfelt, they collectively subvert the 419 stereotype.  

Ultimately, The 419 sheds light on the economics of life in Africa’s most populous city. 

Poet and playwright Inua Ellams (Three Sisters, National Theatre/Fuel, Half God of Rainfall, Kiln/Fuel) has worked with photographer and filmmaker Oluwamuyiwa Logo, who recently exhibited at Museum of Modern Art in New York, to create a stunning series of photographic portraits.  

VENUE: West Wing Gallery, Somerset House, London. 

DATES: 8-14 September 2025 

Commissioned by Fuel 

Supported by Arts Council England 

Fuel, the Museum of West African Art, Creative Manchester and Manchester Museum present 

Stained Metal

Created by Inua Ellams 

To celebrate his appointment as Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Manchester, acclaimed poet, playwright, and performer Inua Ellams launches his latest project, Stained Metal. 

Inua received an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 2023. Now he plans to send the medal to four corners of the British Empire: Kenya, India, Canada, and Jamaica. Artists from each of those countries will be commissioned to respond to a letter from Inua, and to the medal itself. Stained Metal will be a profound exploration of empire, identity, and legacy. 

A free Equinox and Solstice event as part of the Manchester Museum Lates and a week-long celebration around Africa Day, this launch event will begin with introductions by Esme Ward (Manchester Museum Director) and John McAuliffe (Professor of Poetry and Creative Manchester Director), before Inua launches Stained Metal with poetry and the first reading of his letter to commissioned artists, followed by a conversation with the audience. 

Co-presented by Fuel, Museum of West African Art, Creative Manchester and Manchester Museum, this launch event promises to be an unforgettable night of poetry, storytelling, and thought-provoking conversation. 

Equinox and Solstice Event Series 

Presented by Creative Manchester, the Equinox and Solstice series of events bring innovative creative artists to The University of Manchester’s four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions – the Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.  

Time: 5:30pm (doors open, reception), 6:30pm (start) – 7:45pm 

Location: Kanaris Lecture Theatre, Manchester Museum

Free tickets available here.

Public Conversations, Live from Oxford

We live in a world full of evolving ethical questions and dilemmas. Our cultural life reflects the society we live in. How do cultural leaders approach these questions and dilemmas today? What place do values have in navigating decision making? How do cultural leaders manage conflicts or tensions when they arise? How can vision and values align? 

A series of three public conversations with leaders from across the cultural landscape – independents, founders and leaders of major institutions exploring approaches to ethics and values in cultural production today.  

The events are curated and hosted by Kate McGrath, Artistic Director & CEO of Fuel, as part of her Visiting Fellowship with the Cultural Programme and Hertford College at Oxford University. The Visiting Fellowship offers artists and curators the chance to reflect on their practice, develop new work, and share it with a wider audience.  This research and series of events provide a unique opportunity to reflect on the past, look ahead, and explore the evolving opportunities and challenges of cultural leadership today. 

Co-produced by the Cultural Programme at Oxford University and Fuel. In partnership with Oxford Playhouse and other venues soon to be announced.  

How to begin?
Tuesday 3 June 2025, The Story Museum, 5:30pm

Starting from scratch takes a first step. But there are many routes to the same destination.  

What role do values play in setting the course towards a new vision and ensuring it resonates over time? In this conversation, we explore how principles can map a path for enduring organisations, exploring how pioneering leadership breaks new ground whilst staying true to core values. Guest speakers include Deborah Frances-White, stand-up comedian, screenwriter and The Guilty Feminist podcast host; Farooq Chaudhry OBE, Akram Khan Company Producing Director; Eero Vaara, Professor in Organisations and Impact, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Chaired by Kate McGrath. 

This is a free event. Tickets are available here.

National Service: leading institutions today
Tuesday 10 June, Old Fire Station, 5:30pm

What does it mean to lead a national institution today? Join prominent cultural leaders for a candid conversation about balancing history with innovation and holding the tension between tradition and change. How do personal values sit in relationship with the responsibilities of institutional leadership? Guest speakers: John McGrath, Factory International Artistic Director & Chief Executive; Professor Michael Smets,  Senior Research Fellow of Green Templeton College and Professor of Management at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford; Devyani Saltzman, a writer, curator, and Director of Arts at the Barbican, known for leading major cultural institutions and advocating for more inclusive, community-focused public spaces. Chaired by Kate McGrath.

This is a free event. Please visit the Old Fire Station Website for tickets here.

Leading Beyond Authority: Independent Leaders
Tuesday 17 June, Oxford Playhouse, 5:30pm

Independent leaders are crafting culture on their own terms, challenging conventions and redefining what’s possible. This conversation explores how independent leaders bring their values to their work, and how these values shape those collaborating with them at the forefront of change. Guest speakers include David Lan CBE, Writer, Director and The Walk and The Heards Producer; Professor Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Hertford College, University of Oxford; Tobi Kyeremateng, a BAFTA-winning London-based producer and founder of THEM ONES, celebrated for her film and TV work. Chaired by Kate McGrath. 

This is a free event. Please visit the Oxford Playhouse website for tickets here.

Joint – A work in progress

“I didn’t know that by sitting in the kitchen I’d be hunted down, arrested, convicted, on the same charges as him. And you’d be too.”

Joint Enterprise is a controversial common law doctrine where an individual can be jointly convicted of the crime of another, if it can be proven that they foresaw the crime taking place. 

Increasingly challenged, it is part of a history of collective punishment that systematically targets racialised and working class people, that can be traced from colonialism through to today. But how does it work? And how can it be defeated?

Written by one of Britain’s most exciting poets, Jay Bernard (Ted Hughes Award, Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year) and directed by Jo Tyabji (Bleak House, Audible), Joint presents a powerful, multi-media account of Joint Enterprise that weaves together personal experience, social history and real life cases. 

Commissioned and produced by Fuel, and funded by Arts Council England.

For details about FuelFest and the other works in progress, visit FuelFest at the Barbican

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A work in progress

Perrier Comedy and Fringe First winner Will Adamsdale presents a new autobiographical show about escape, creativity and technology.

Once upon a time a washed up London writer and technophobe went off-grid in a confused lockdown relocation… only to find that the grass ain’t always greener. 

The blank page stretched out like the endless fields. His only hope? His greatest enemy – technology!

A story of bots, writer’s block and getting away from it all.

Produced by Fuel and Will Adamsdale.

For details about FuelFest and the other works in progress, visit FuelFest at the Barbican

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A work in progress

A first look at a brand-new satire by Racheal Ofori (Portrait, So Many Reasons, FLIP!) that explores the cost of beauty – from scalp-burning perms to injectables, from skinny tea to fat jabs. 

Yvonne is losing her mind. She walks into Boots looking for a shampoo and has a breakdown, paralysed by the abundance of oppressing plastic bottles. 

Mina has always kept a trim figure. Her mother’s ever present set of scales in their family home used to do the trick. Since her mother’s death, she’s finding it harder to keep the weight off. So she’s ordered some fat jabs online.

“I want to be wafer thin. So thin that at some point I practically disappear. Isn’t that the point? The literal erasure of women?”

Co-commissioned by Fuel and Women in Theatre Lab and produced by Fuel.

For details about FuelFest and the other works in progress, visit FuelFest at the Barbican

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