Something Dark tells the true story of Lemn Sissay who as a baby was given up by his Ethiopian mother in the 1960s. He was renamed Norman Greenwood and nicknamed Chalky White throughout his turbulent childhood in care, only to find out his real name at the age of 18.
No longer the possession of the social services, he left the brutal suburbs of Lancashire for the bright lights of Manchester where he became a celebrated performance poet. Aged 21 Lemn left for Gambia in search of his mother and the truth about his father.
Lemn Sissay MBE is the author of several books of poetry, articles, records, public art and plays. He was official poet for the London Olympics. His landmark poems are installed throughout Addis Ababa, Manchester and London. Amongst other awards he is winner of The Doubleday Award and a NESTA New Radical award. He is on The Times Alternative Rich List. He has appeared on BBC Radio 4'S Desert Island Discs - available online - in one of its most listened to episodes. He is patron of The Letterbox Club, Trustee of The Foundling Museum and Chancellor of University of Manchester.