Touring Together

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, directed by Ola Ince, 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

Directed by Ola Ince

“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 slave 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.