Poet, author, performer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay coming to The Apex

Lemn Sissay (pictured above) is a poet, author, performer and broadcaster who is due to appear at The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, in the next few weeks.

His life story is one of neglect and determination, misfortune and hope, cruelty and triumph.

Touring with his Sunday Times bestselling memoir “My Name is Why”, Lemn will reflect on a childhood in care, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so, explore the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home.

Placed into foster care at birth while his mother finished her studies, Lemn was held in the care system, despite letters from his mother asking for her son back.

At the age of 17, he began the search for his birth mother and took back his real name. He finally met her when he was 21; she was working for the UN in Gambia.

Lemn released his first book of poetry in 1988, and since the age of 24 he has been a full-time writer, performing around the world. He was the first poet commissioned to write for the London Olympics in 2012 and his Landmark Poems in public spaces can be seen throughout Manchester and London at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall.

His TV documentaries have been nominated for BAFTA and RTS awards and his work in radio has been nominated for Sony and Palm D’Ors. In 2021, his poems were part of a concerto performed at the BBC Proms.

Lemn Sissay is at The Apex on Wednesday, May 4, at 7.30pm, see www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.