Inua Ellams reads new verses inspired by the poetry of his childhood.

He has spent the last year digging into The Poetry Library collection as part of his Afterhours project, in which he explores his childhood through British poetry.

Writing poems ‘after’ British poets (published between 1984 and 2002, from the year he was born until the year he turned 18) he sets them in his immigrant childhood.

At this event, accompanied by Ghanaian-born multi-instrumentalist, composer and teacher TJ Owusu, he brings the project to a close by reading the new works alongside their originals.

He discusses the historical and cultural differences he discovered as he wrote, and celebrates the end of childhood.

The evening features poems by Tom Leonard, Carol Ann Duffy, Jo Shapcott, Michael Hofmann and Seamus Heaney.

It will be held at The Poetry Library at Royal Festival Hall.

Admission is free but space is limited. To book your place emailspecialedition@poetrylibrary.org.uk