To name something is to call it into life, to determine its future. If we let our children name themselves, will they author their own destinies? Will the nameless ones be free?
Untitled is a magical realist story set in Nigeria and England, of identical twin boys separated at infancy. In the quarrel after the marred naming ceremony, the mother grabs the titled child and flees, leaving the unnamed brother to lead an impetuous, chaotic, blasphemous existence until the spirits of the land make their stand.
Inua Ellams is a poet and graphic artist. He was born in Nigeria and now lives and works in London.
Co-commissioned by Soho Theatre, Fuel and Contact Theatre.
Read more about Untitled on Inua’s blog or on the Theatre Bristol website
The Door
- Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP
- Box Office: 0121 236 4455
This is amazing theatre: evocative, poetic, magical and transformative. It is one of the most remarkable pieces of solo performance I have seen in many years. Inua Ellams' virtuoso acting reminds me of the very best of the solo performance tradition: Denise Stoklos and Anna Deveare Smith. He is a shamanistic storyteller of great magnitude, reminding us that the best theatre is perhaps that grounded in story. I highly recommend it.