Book now for the London premiere of Once Upon a Time in Sokoto at the Lyric Hammersmith, Inua Ellams’ Alfred Fagon Award-winning epic about an unlikely friendship in 19th-century Nigeria, playing from 13 April to 8 May 2027.

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto: Inua Ellams’ award-winning epic

After beginning its world-premiere tour at Royal & Derngate in Northampton this autumn, where The Guardian gave it four stars and called it “an exuberant history lesson on intra-African slavery,” Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is now coming to London.

Set in the Sokoto Caliphate, a powerful pre-colonial Islamic state in what is now northern Nigeria, the play follows Zinari, a free woman, and Nafisa, the woman she once owned, as an unlikely friendship grows between them from 1865 to the British conquest of 1903. It’s a gripping family drama about faith, power and heritage, set against the events that led to the creation of Nigeria.

Directed by Roy Alexander Weise MBE (Nine Night, The Hot Wing King) and performed by a company of four, Adeola Yemitan (Elektra, Much Ado About Nothing), Antonia Layiwola (Silkworm), Bayo Gbadamosi (The Great) and Will Atiomo (The Sandman), who slip between characters and narration, it’s told with music, humour and warmth as much as history.

Book Once Upon a Time in Sokoto Tickets

Don’t miss the London premiere of this award-winning epic, playing the Lyric Hammersmith from 13 April to 8 May 2027.

In the 1800s, in the Sokoto Caliphate, a free woman and the woman she once owned form one of the most unlikely friendships in theatre. Inua Ellams’ epic follows Zinari and Nafisa from 1865 to the British conquest of 1903, across differences of faith, culture and heritage, as new enemies close in.

It’s a family drama on a historical canvas, told with colour, music and humour, and set against the events that led to the creation of Nigeria.

Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Tickets by Month
Apr 2027
May 2027

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?

  • Nafisa Sarauniya: Adeola Yemitan (Elektra, Much Ado About Nothing)
  • Zinari Zangina: Antonia Layiwola (Is Dat U Yh?, Silkworm)
  • Hadiru Zhango: Bayo Gbadamosi (The Great, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)
  • Yusef Dawdu: Will Atiomo (Blitz, The Sandman)

Who are the creative team of Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?

  • Writer: Inua Ellams
  • Director: Roy Alexander Weise
  • Set designer: Amelia Jane Hankin
  • Composer: Femi Temowo
  • Movement director: Coral Messam
  • Lighting designer: Neill Brinkworth
  • Sound designer: Dan Balfour
  • Costume designer: Jessica Cabassa

Venue Information

Lyric Hammersmith , King Street, London, W6 0QL

Nearest Tube or Train: Hammersmith (District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City)

Nearest Buses: 27, 110, 190, 218, 267, 306, H91, N9, N11, N266

Directions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is playing at the Lyric Hammersmith in London
To buy official London Theatre tickets to Once Upon a Time in Sokoto, click on the Get Tickets button at the top of this page. You will be able to access the booking calendar to check live ticket availability and prices and see any exclusive offers or discounts. You will be purchasing tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
Yes, Once Upon a Time in Sokoto has matinee performances on the following days:

News about Once Upon a Time in Sokoto

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