Join Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2026 for a unique and immersive poetry experience with award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams, one of the UK’s most distinctive and innovative literary voices.
Presented in association with 05Events, Search Party is a bold and audience-led performance that breaks away from traditional readings. Instead, Ellams invites the audience to take part by offering a word—any word—which becomes the starting point for a spontaneous journey through his extensive archive of poetry, notebooks and unpublished work.
From this single prompt, Ellams constructs a live, reactive performance, selecting and performing pieces in real time. The result is an ever-evolving experience where no two shows are the same, shaped entirely by the audience and the moment.
Best known for acclaimed works such as Barber Shop Chronicles and The Half-God of Rainfall, Ellams brings the same theatricality, rhythm and storytelling power to this intimate format. The performance offers a rare glimpse into his creative process, revealing how ideas, themes and language connect across his body of work.
The event also includes an audience Q&A, providing further insight into Ellams’ practice, influences and approach to writing and performance.
Praised by critics for its originality and energy, Search Party has been described as a fearless and generous performance, showcasing Ellams’ versatility and willingness to take creative risks.
Set within the Arnolfini’s theatre space, this event offers an intimate and engaging experience for poetry lovers, writers and anyone interested in contemporary storytelling.
Event Details:
Doors Open: 12:45pm
Start Time: 1:00pm
Finish Time: 2:00pm
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