Once Upon a Time in Sokoto

"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 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 this play, 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.

Cast

Adeola Yemitan is an actor whose stage credits include Elektra (Empire Street Productions), Is Dat U Yh? (Bristol Old Vic), Is Dat U Yh? (Initiative.dkf with Brixton House), Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), The Caucasian Chalk Theatre (The Rose Theatre), Antigone (Mercury Theatre, Colchester), Ordinary Miracle (National Youth Theatre), Animal Farm (National Youth Theatre) and Othello (National Youth Theatre).

Her short film credits include Blue (dir. Andrew Whyment), and her television credits include Grace (Second Act Productions).

Antonia is a British actor from South London who trained at De Montfort University.

Stage credits include Iona in The Pursuit of Joy (Jermyn Street Theatre); Tolu in Is Dat U Yh? (Brixton House); Omolade in Silkworm (Edinburgh Fringe), recipient of a Fringe First Award 2022; Protests, Hymns & Caskets (Belgrade Theatre); Fragments of a Complicated Mind (Theatre503); Love Thy Fro (Theatre Peckham); Teleportation (Bunker Theatre); and Ilé La Wà (UK tour).

Screen credits include Dolapo in Dreamers and Bone (both directed by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor); and Date Prep (dir. Ashley Panton).

Bayo stars as Kariem in War of the Worlds for FX/Disney+ across its three series. He also plays Arkardy in hit comedy The Great for Hulu/ Channel 4, for which he was SAG Award nominated for Best Ensemble Cast. Recently, Bayo starred in the off-Broadway production of Foxes in New York and also starred in as Brick in Cat on A Hot Tin Roof at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. He has worked extensively on stage including a leading role at the Royal Court in I See You, Barbershop Chronicles (Fuel/National Theatre), Gloria at Hampstead Theatre and Little Revolution at the Almeida.

Will Atiomo’s stage credits include Medea (ADC Theatre), Samskara (The Yard), Ordinary Miracle, Animal Farm and Othello (National Youth Theatre Rep Company).

Film credits include Blitz (Apple TV+). Television credits include Sandman (Netflix).