Fuel and Manchester Museum present  

Stained Metal 

Conceived by Inua Ellams  

Curated by Inua Ellams with Fuel and Manchester Museum  

Produced by Fuel and Manchester Museum 

With Residency Partner Museum of West African Art 

Stained Metal explores the personal and global impact of the British Empire through the journey of a medal around the world, tracing connections between people, places and histories.  

In 2023, Inua Ellams was awarded an MBE and two years later posted his medal to four corners of the former British Empire with a letter inviting artists to respond. The medal then journeyed to Benin City, where Inua worked with a traditional bronze caster to create a new medal incorporating Benin’s cultural iconography and Nigeria’s history. 

The exhibition brings together these new artistic commissions with objects from Inua’s private collection and the collection Manchester Museum cares for, shining light on how identities are shaped by large historical forces. Presenting a range of voices and perspectives, Stained Metal asks visitors to engage with the complexities, contradictions and human experiences behind the objects on display, inviting curiosity, reflection and conversation. 

Join us for a thought-provoking and layered exhibition that contemplates the many ways the legacies of empire continue to resonate in the present. 

Exhibiting at Manchester Museum: 27^th February – 6^th June 2027

Commissioned artworks: 

Kenya  

Wanjeri Gakuru – We’re Still Here 

Wanini Kimemiah – we continue to continue 

India 

Akhil Katyal – 1870 

Shripad Sinnakaar – On Dispossession of Caste & Ode to Mumbai 

Sachin Sreenath – Victoria Terminus 

Canada 

Phillip Dwight Morgan with Lauren Marshall – Man and His Technologies 

Chiedza Pasipanodya – Untitled (Registry) #2 

Jamaica 

Yashika Graham – Seeking Home

Touring Together

Bringing the best new plays to you.

Touring Together is a new national touring initiative, led by China Plate and Fuel. 

We’ll be bringing bold stories which shine a fresh light on the world we live in today to stages across the country, in collaboration with Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre.

You can expect to see productions each year, from exceptional artists, which celebrate and explore our heritage as a nation and spark conversations of country-wide significance. 

First up is Once Upon a Time in Sokoto by Inua Ellams, presented by Fuel – scroll down to find out more.

Touring Together is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

We have five Local Engagement Specialists, one embedded in each of the venue locations: Brighton, Leeds, Northampton, Oxford and Coventry. They are our local eyes and ears, connecting communities to our work and the Touring Together programme. 

Our Local Engagement Specialists are looking to connect with schools, youth groups, community centres and grassroots organisations, including societies, clubs and collectives.

If you are interested in connecting with your local LES, or finding out more information about what activity will be happening in your area and how you can get involved, please email: [email protected] 

Each year, as part of Touring Together, we’ll be bringing a brand-new production to Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre. First up:

Fuel in association with Touring Together presents

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto 

By Inua Ellams

“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 an enslaved woman 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) and the award-winning The 14th Tale (Fuel/UK tour) and his retelling of Three Sisters (National Theatre).

★★★★★ “Such an ambitious piece and so life-affirmingly realised. Go.” – The Independent on Barber Shop Chronicles

“This is a work, full of humanity and glancing wit, that one can imagine traveling far and wide.” – The New York Times on Barber Shop Chronicles

In addition to the partner venues Nottingham Playhouse and Bristol Old Vic will also receive the production as part of its UK tour.

Learn more here.

Fuel in association with Touring Together 

presents

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto 

Written by Inua Ellams

Directed by Roy Alexander Weise

“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 enslaved woman 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) and the award-winning The 14th Tale (Fuel/UK tour).

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is performing at

Royal & Derngate, Northampton  28 September – 10 October 2026

Oxford Playhouse  13 -17 October 2026

Nottingham Playhouse  29 – 31 October 2026 

Warwick Arts Centre  5-7 November 2026

Leeds Playhouse   11 -14 November 2026

Brighton Dome  17 – 21 November 2026

Bristol Old Vic  2-13 February 2027

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. Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is also supported by the Garrick Charitable Trust

An Evening with an Immigrant is an acclaimed one-man show written and performed by Inua Ellams; this new version features a breathtaking original score composed by Laura Mvula and performed live by Chineke! Orchestra.

Born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother in what is now considered by many to be Boko Haram territory, in 1996 award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams left Nigeria for England aged 12, moved to Ireland for three years, before returning to London and starting work as a writer and graphic designer.

Littered with poems, stories and anecdotes, Inua tells his ridiculous, fantastic, poignant immigrant-story of escaping fundamentalist Islam, performing solo shows at the National Theatre, and drinking wine with the Queen of England, all the while without a country to belong to or place to call home. In this exciting new collaboration, Inua’s performance is interwoven with Laura’s rich, expansive score, transporting audiences on a journey around and out of this world.

Written and performed by Inua Ellams

Original music by Laura Mvula

Performed with Chineke! Orchestra

Sunday 26 April at 7.30pm
Multitudes Festival, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

Tickets from £5 – Available here.

Commissioned by Fuel
Produced by Fuel, Southbank Centre and Chineke! Orchestra
Supported by Choose Love
Fuel is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL

Click here to find our visual guide including helpful information regarding An Evening with an Immigrant including the venue, the artists, the show itself, as well as useful accessibility information for your visit.

Image credit: Oliver Holms

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: 9-14 September 2025 

TIMES: Tuesday 9th – Friday 12th, 1-5pm

Saturday 13th, 10am-6pm

Sunday 14th, 10am-5pm

Access information

Audio recordings of the poems and audio descriptions of the photographs will be available to access at the exhibition. You will need to scan a QR code from your personal device. Please ensure your device is fully charged and your headphones are working in advance.

A visual story with more information about what to expect when you attend The 419 is available here

Commissioned by Fuel 

The 419 was developed with the support of the Immersive Storytelling Studio, National Theatre. 

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.