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