The Spalding Suite

Born in Nigeria in 1984, Inua Ellams is an internationally touring poet, playwright, performer, graphic artist and designer. He is an ambassador for the Ministry of Stories and his published books of poetry include Candy Coated Unicorns and Converse All Stars, Thirteen Fairy Negro Tales, The Wire-Headed Heathen, #Afterhours and The Half-God of Rainfall – an epic story in verse. His first play The 14th Tale was awarded a Fringe First at the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival and his fourth, Barber Shop Chronicles, sold out two runs at the National Theatre. He is currently touring An Evening With An Immigrant and completing his first full poetry collection The Actual. In graphic art and design, online and in print, he tries to mix the old with the new, juxtaposing texture and pigment with flat shades of colour and vector images. He lives and works from London, where he founded the Midnight Run, a nocturnal urban excursion. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. 

British-Ghanaian theatre-maker Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu work aims to bring the stretch the imagination of his audiences with his unique brand of storytelling. Previous work includes creating Sweet Like Chocolate Boy (Jack Studio and London tour) and directing the award-winning Little Baby Jesus (Orange Tree Theatre).