Biography
Born in Nigeria in 1984, Inua Ellams MBE FRSL is a writer and a curator. He is a cross disciplinary artist, an internationally touring performer, a poet, playwright, screenwriter, graphic artist and designer. His published books of poetry include Candy Coated Unicorns and Converse All Stars, Thirteen Fairy Negro Tales, The Wire-Headed Heathen, #Afterhours, and The Actual. His first play, The 14th Tale, was awarded a Fringe First at the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival. His plays include Barber Shop Chronicles, Three Sisters (after Chekov) and The Half-God of Rainfall among others.
Productions
Fast Cuts and Snap Shots
Year: 2014
Staged in: Fuel in partnership with Oran Mor and the National Theatre of Scotland
Barber Shop Chronicles
Year: 2017
Staged in: Co-production between National Theatre, Fuel and West Yorkshire Playhouse
The Spalding Suite
Year: 2015
Staged in: Co-production between Fuel, Southbank Centre adn Contact (Manchester)
Tha Half God of Rainfall
Year: 2019
Staged in: Birmingham Repertory Theatre; 1913, Kiln Theatre and Fuel
Publications
Inua Ellams: Plays One: The 14th Tale; Untitled; Knight Watch; Black T-Shirt Collection
Year: 2019
Publisher: Oberon Modern Playwrights
Featured Content
Sarah Niles (left) as Lolo, Natalie Simpson (middle) as Nne and Rachel Ofori (right) as Udo in Inua Ellams’ adaptation of Chekov’s Three Sisters, National Theatre, 2019. Photograph © The Other Richard.
Education Resource Pack
Anton Chekhov’s original story of Three Sisters is set in Russia, in the 19th century, during a time of upheaval. Inua Ellams’ adaptation is set in Nigeria in the 1960s, a country struggling with the legacy of colonialism. Independence brings the possibility of change but white Europeans are still in the background, pulling strings and reaping the benefits, nothing has changed. For key stages four and five. Access the Three Sisters Education Resource Pack here.
Inua Ellams and Nadia Fall discuss Barber Shop Chronicles
What is the theatre rehearsal process like? Inua Ellams and Nadia Fall (director) of Three Sisters at the National Theatre discuss.
Winsome Pinnock and Ola Animashawun discuss Barber Shop Chronicles
Watch Winsome Pinnock and dramaturg Ola Animashawun discuss Inua Ellam’s play Barber Shop Chronicles.