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Writer and Curator Ekow Eshun wears a blue suit jacket and sits in front of a white background.
View all events for category: Literature & poetry

Ekow Eshun: The Strangers

Thu 31 Oct 2024, 7.45pm

British-Ghanaian writer, editor and curator Ekow Eshun shares his remarkable new book about five extraordinary Black men – and the worlds that made them.

Ira Aldridge: trailblazing Shakespearean actor, playwright and abolitionist, acclaimed across nineteenth century Europe.
Matthew Henson: the first man ever to reach the North Pole, after eighteen years of successive attempts.
Frantz Fanon: revolutionary psychologist and political philosopher, a forefather of modern post-colonial theory.
Malcolm X: firebrand leader in the American civil rights movement, an icon in the fight for racial justice.
Justin Fashanu: gifted sportsman and notorious showman, the first professional footballer in the world to come out publicly as gay.

Separated by centuries and continents, what do these strangers have in common?

The Strangers tells their stories one by one: as pioneers who made history in their fields, and as sensitive, often solitary individuals moving through a hostile world.

And it locates them within the vibrant, restless, richly detailed landscape of Black art, culture, history and politics over the past several centuries.

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 16+

Times & tickets

Dates, times and prices

Dates & times

31 Oct 2024, 7.45pm

Run time

1 hour and 30 minutes (approx)

All timings are approximate and subject to change

Standard entry

from £15.00*

* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.

Book as early as you can to ensure the best choice of tickets. Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.

Concessions

25%

Limited availability

About concessions

For your visit

This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre

The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.