The 14th Tale

By
Inua Ellams
Produced by
Fuel
Dates
18 Mar 2009 - 25 Aug 2013
Artist/Company
Inua Ellams

Fuel presents Inua Ellams’ The 14th Tale

A hilarious and poetic coming-of-age story about a natural-born trouble maker, and his relationship with his father. The story followed Inua’s real-life journey from his birthplace in Nigeria to the culture-shock of England, charting his trials, tribulations, and mischief-making along the way.

Using playful rhymes, Inua weaved vivid and endearing characters, while at the same time challenging expectations of what it is to be a young black male in the UK today.

#14thTale

inuaellams.com

A BAC Scratch Commission with Apples and Snakes

A London Word Festival Commission. Funded by Arts Council England.

 

"Ellams’ poetry gleams with a dusty, worn, deeply original beauty and he remains such wonderfully generous company to keep on stage."

Metro

"Ellams’ poetry is smooth enough to melt in the ear, yet packed full of snap, crackle and pop."

Time Out

"Inua Ellams' captures our attention as soon as he opens his mouth."

The Times

"Delivered with perfect timing in a wonderful style, it’s both a playful and intelligent production."

Total Theatre Review

"**** There's something uniquely 21st Century about Ellams' voice which somehow absorbs the whole experience of colonialism without being totally defined by it."

The Scotsman

ABB73C5B-A51C-4932-BDF3-C60C9D79146A Created with sketchtool.

Project History

18/03/2009 - 20/03/2009
Arcola
London
19/08/2009 - 29/08/2009
Pleasance Courtyard
Edinburgh
01/10/2009
ARC
Stockton on Tees
02/10/2009 - 03/10/2009
Contact
Manchester
15/10/2009
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Maidenhead
16/10/2009 - 17/10/2009
Ustinov
Bath
19/10/2009 - 31/10/2009
BAC
London
04/11/2009
The Drum
Birmingham
05/11/2009 - 06/11/2009
The Albany
London
25/11/2009
Croydon Clocktower
Croydon
27/11/2009
Merlin Theatre
Frome
09/02/2010 - 13/02/2010
National Theatre
London
19/02/2010
The Arts at Dartington
Totnes
24/02/2010
The University of Bedford Theatre
Bedford
25/02/2010
Gulbenkian Theatre
Cantebury
06/07/2011 - 16/07/2011
Almeida Theatre
London
27/09/2011 - 01/10/2011
Tara Theatre
London
24/02/2012
Perth Festival 2012, Dolphin Theatre UWA
Perth
26/02/2012
Perth Festival 2012, Octagon Theatre UWA
Perth
27/02/2012
Perth Festival 2012, Albany Entertainment Centre
Perth
28/02/2012
Perth Festival 2012, Katanning Leisure Centre
Perth
29/02/2012
Perth Festival 2012, Denmark Civic Centre
Perth
02/10/2012 - 07/10/2012
Cube, Project Arts Centre
Dublin
01/11/2012
The 3rd Mumbai Literary Festival
Mumbai
03/11/2012
Aasakta Kalamanch
Pune
05/11/2012
Natarani Open Air Theatre
Ahmedabad
16/02/2013 - 17/02/2013
British Council Lagos Theatre Festival
Nigeria
20/02/2013
Lakeside Theatre
Colchester
08/03/2013
Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Ludlow
12/03/2013 - 13/03/2013
The Continental
Preston
15/03/2013 - 16/03/2013
Unity Theatre
Liverpool
19/03/2013 - 22/03/2013
Bristol Old Vic
Bristol
23/03/2013
Lighthouse
Poole
21/05/2013 - 23/05/2013
Northern Stage
Newcastle
25/08/2013
Greenbelt Festival
Cheltenham