The 14th Tale

Written and performed by Inua Ellams

Inua Ellams is the winner of the Scotsman Fringe First Award, 2009

In the London premiere of his critically acclaimed, Scotsman Fringe First award winning show, celebrated spoken word and graphic artist Inua Ellams performs a comic and moving self portrait of life growing up in Nigeria, Dublin and London.

The 14th Tale, which was developed at BAC and the Arcola, references Inua’s collection of poems 13 Fairy Negro Tales, published when he was only 22 years old. Still only 24, he has achieved considerable success as both a visual artist and poet. He has performed at a variety of venues and festivals, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Tate Modern, Glastonbury and Latitude.

In his one man show, Inua shares stories of his upbringing: his schools, friends and family and of his move to Europe following childhood in Nigeria as he awaits news in a hospital waiting room. Combining comic dialogue with poetry and prose, this autobiographical account encapsulates the trials of adolescence and depicts Inua’s life as a young, black male in London today.

The 14th Tale is at the Battersea Arts Centre from 19 to 31 October (exc 25), 8.30pm.

Address: BAC, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
Box Office: 020 7223 2223