Secondary & FE

ENGAGEMENT OFFER

Each year, as part of Touring Together, China Plate and Fuel will be bringing a brand-new production to Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate Northampton and Warwick Arts Centre.

First up in Autumn 2026 is Once Upon a Time in Sokoto by Inua Ellams, directed by Roy Alexander Weise, presented by Fuel in association with Touring Together.

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.

The production offers a powerful opportunity for students to experience contemporary theatre alongside curriculum-linked creative learning and is particularly relevant for students studying English, Drama, History, Religious Education, PSHE and Citizenship. Teachers may also know Inua Ellams from Barber Shop Chronicles, which is included as a set text within OCR A Level English Language & Literature.

Recommended for Years 9-13, the production provides opportunities for students to explore themes including identity, power, history, leadership, faith, freedom and belonging, while developing skills in critical thinking, interpretation, discussion and creative expression.

Designed with Artsmark schools in mind, Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is accompanied by a free teacher resource pack to support learning before and after the performance. The resources support schools to create meaningful cultural experiences, strengthen curriculum connections and encourage students to engage creatively with different perspectives and forms of storytelling.

To expect in the pack:

• Historical and cultural context, including a glossary of key terms
• Pre-show ignition activities
• Character and theme exploration
• Discussion prompts and reflection activities
• Creative writing and storytelling exercises
• Drama and performance activities
• Cross-curricular classroom activities
• Suggestions for further research and independent learning
• Creative learning workshops

A limited number of free classroom workshops are also available on request, offering students the opportunity to explore the themes and ideas of the production through storytelling and creative writing. Led by experienced facilitators, these sessions use the play as a starting point for students to develop their own stories, explore different perspectives and experiment with creative expression.

Find out more about the schools offer here

To book tickets for the show, click here.

Artwork © Malik Afegbua

ENGAGEMENT OFFER

Alongside the 2024 performances of A Family Business, we provided a suite of resources to encourage young people to engage with the show within and outside of educational contexts. These have been designed to:

• further understand the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons
• enable young people to take action around this and other issues they care about.
• demystify pathways into careers within theatre and international diplomacy.

These can be used alongside seeing the show but can also be used in isolation to support and aid discussions with young people that are studying or interested in activism and creative careers.

Visit our blog post about these resources and how to use them:
https://chinaplatetheatre.com/news-more/a-family-business-so-what-can-i-do-now/

or follow the links below to access each of the individual resources:

Meet the Team: Career Chat Videos

Meet the Experts: Post Show Panel Discussion

How to Plan an Activist Event Guide

So, What Can I Do Now? Postcard

If you have any questions or for more information, please email [email protected]

Image © Andreas J.Etter