First Fuel 2017 Shows Announced

Touring the breadth of the country and with narratives that span continents, Fuel's upcoming work showcases their characteristically diverse mix of new work and hit shows from established and emerging artists from the UK and beyond. The producers continue to work closely with artists to develop new work and make it accessible to audiences around the UK.

Highlights of the new season include the world premiere of Inua Ellams' Barber Shop Chronicles; a co-production between Fuel, the National Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse. Ellams' new ensemble play explores contemporary black masculinity, weaving in stories told in barber shops in London, Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra. It draws on the relationships between the African diaspora in London and friends and family on the African continent. Ellams also tells his own true story in the autobiographical An Evening with an Immigrant, which embarks on a UK tour.

Emerging artist Rachael Ofori brings back her debut 2015 show Portrait, a frank, fun and provocative look at real and imaginary role models for young black women today. Meanwhile, in collaboration with Ovalhouse, award-winning poet and performer Nick Makoha will scratch a new work in progress The Dark, inspired by his own story of fleeing Uganda, and directed by JMK Award Winner Roy Alexander Weise (The Mountaintop).

The programme will include two intimate sound experiences with the return of Hofesh Shechter's podcast installation Everyday Moments, and new dates for David Rosenberg & Glen Neath's Fiction, a hyper-realistic binaural 3D sound experience: both experiences take place in complete darkness.

Fevered Sleep will start their next residency for Men & Girls Dance at The Place on 26 March 2017 with London premiere performance dates on 13th-15th and 18th-22nd April 2017. The show is a playful and provocative celebration of the rights of adults and children to be together and to dance together.

Co-directors Louise Blackwell and Kate McGrath said "At this time of seismic and troubling change in the world, it seems to us that we need a night at the theatre more than ever - to gather together and experience different perspectives on the world. There's an urgent need to listen to and share the stories of people who are different to us and people who have something surprising and insightful to say. As 2017 begins, we set off on tour around the UK to share the theatre we make with all sorts of different people."

Founded in 2004 and led by Louise Blackwell and Kate McGrath, Fuel is a producing organisation working with Contemporary Theatre artists to develop, create and present new work for all. Fuel produces the work of artists including Clod Ensemble (The Red Chair), David Rosenberg (Electric Hotel), Will Adamsdale (The Victorian in the Wall), Melanie Wilson (Opera for the Unknown Woman), Uninvited Guests (Give Me Back My Broken Night) and Inua Ellams (The Spalding Suite).

For full listings and information visit www.fueltheatre.com.