Inua Ellams author page

Inua Ellams biography

Inua Ellams is a poet, playwright, and performer whose work spans poetry, theatre, and graphic art. Born in Nigeria, he moved to the United Kingdom as a child. Ellams is known for exploring themes of identity, migration, and belonging in his writing.

Ellams has published several poetry collections, including Thirteen Fairy Negro Tales (2005), Candy Coated Unicorns and Converse All Stars (2011), and The Half-God of Rainfall (2019). His poetry often draws on his experiences of moving between cultures and continents.

As a playwright, Ellams has written a number of plays that have been staged in the UK and internationally. His play Barber Shop Chronicles premiered at the National Theatre in London in 2017. The play explores the role of barber shops in African and African diaspora communities, weaving together stories from cities across the world.

Ellams has also worked as a performer, bringing his poetry and plays to audiences through live readings and theatre productions. He is the founder of the Midnight Run, a nocturnal urban walking experience that combines art, poetry, and exploration of city spaces.

In 2019, Ellams published The Half-God of Rainfall, a narrative poem that blends myth, legend, and contemporary storytelling.