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Lemn Sissay

1967-Present Day

Born: Lancashire, UK, 1967

Biography

Lemn Sissay born in Lancashire to Ethiopian parents is a poet, playwright and author. After being adopted as a baby and raised by a white foster family, Sissay was abruptly given up again for adoption at age 11 and his writing and performance discusses his search for family, identity and belonging. Sissay released his first book of poetry in 1988 at the age of 21. In 2005 his drama Something Dark which deals with his search for his family was adapted for BBC Radio 3 and won the 2006 RIMA award (Race in the Media award). Sissay has been poet-in-residence at the Southbank Centre in London, and is Patron along with Jacqueline Wilson of a Booktrust initiative to get books to children in foster care.

Productions

OK Systems

OK Systems

Year: 2002

Staged in: Artsadmin; 1979

One Man Play

One Man Play

Year: 2003

Staged in: Battersea Arts Centre Theatre Company; 1980

Refugee Boy

Refugee Boy

Year: 2013

Staged in: West Yorkshire Playhouse

Something Dark

Something Dark

Year: 2004

Staged in: Apples and Snakes

Storm

Storm

Year: 2002

Staged in: Contact Theatre

Why I don't Hate White People

Why I don't Hate White People

Year: 2009

Staged in: Lyric Hammersmith

Publications

Refugee Boy, by Benjamin Zephaniah, adapted by Lemn Sissay

Refugee Boy, by Benjamin Zephaniah, adapted by Lemn Sissay

Year: 2013

Publisher: Methuen Drama

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