Acclaimed poet, author and performer Lemn Sissay brings Let the Light Pour In to the Southbank Centre for an evening of poetry, storytelling and reflection.
One of Britain’s most recognisable contemporary poets, Sissay has spent decades using words to explore identity, family, memory, belonging and the experiences that shape who we become.
Let the Light Pour In grew from a remarkable personal practice. Every morning for years, Sissay wrote a short poem and shared it with readers, creating a body of work centred on hope, resilience and the possibility of beginning again.
The resulting collection brings together these brief but powerful pieces, which move between darkness and optimism and reflect Sissay’s ability to find light even within difficult experiences.
Sissay’s own life story has profoundly influenced his writing. Born to an Ethiopian mother in Britain, he spent much of his childhood in the care system and later fought to recover records and information about his early life.
His memoir My Name Is Why brought that experience to a wide audience and opened important conversations about identity, institutional care and the right to understand our own histories.
Alongside his books, Sissay has performed poetry across the world, written for stage and television and served as the official poet of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
He was awarded an MBE for services to literature and has become an important advocate for young people who have experienced the care system.
In this live performance, Sissay unpacks the stories and experiences behind his poetry, sharing work from Let the Light Pour In alongside reflections on creativity, survival and hope.
Audiences can expect an evening that moves between humour, honesty and deeply personal storytelling, demonstrating why Sissay remains one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Black British literature.
Lemn Sissay: Let the Light Pour In – Live takes place at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, on Thursday 29th October 2026 at 7:30pm.
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