Two women - one looking forward, the other to the side - blue background

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto

Name: Once Upon a Time in Sokoto
Start: 2026-11-05T19:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-07T19:30:00+00:00
Location: Warwick Arts Centre

Fuel in association with Touring Together

Duration

2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)

Date

Thu 5 - Sat 7 Nov 2026

Venue

Theatre

Need to know

Tickets: £36 (£34) / £29.50 (£27.50)

Students/Under 26s: £9.50 (Band B)

Schools: £9.50 per pupil (Band B). To find out more and book, please contact groupbookings@warwick.ac.uk

Groups: Parties of 10 or more pay the standard concession rate and get one free ticket. Please email groupbookings@warwick.ac.uk or contact box office for more information and to book.

BSL Interpreted Performance - Thu 5 Nov 7.30pm
We have reserved seats with the best view of the BSL interpreter. Please get in touch with our box office to book these tickets.

Creative Socials: TEXTILES - Thu 5 Nov 5pm

Come along early to get creative with textiles and make your own miniature shrine with artist Jane Thakoordin. A relaxed, beginner-friendly space to unwind. Just drop in and get creative!

Post-Show Talk - Thu 5 Nov 7.30pm
Stay in your seats for a talk after the performance with members of the cast and Dr Adyeeri Kembabazi from the Department of History at the University of Warwick

Recommended Age:

14+ (Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult)

"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."

By Inua Ellams
Directed by Roy Alexander Weise

The award-winning Once Upon a Time in Sokoto tells the epic story of a beautiful but unlikely friendship forged between an enslaved woman 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).

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is commissioned by Fuel and presented by Fuel in association with Touring Together - a new national programme, bringing bold stories which shine a fresh light on the world we live in today, to audiences across the country

Touring Together is a China Plate and Fuel initiative in collaboration with Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal and Derngate, Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre, generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is part of HOME - a season of work exploring the idea of HOME and One World Warwick - a celebration of the University of Warwick’s global community, impact, connections and opportunities.