Lemn Sissay Is The One And Only

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

The Only Black Man In The Village

20230317

In Lemn Sissay Is The One And Only, the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across four different areas of his life, looking at situations where he stood out, alone, and examining how that uniqueness felt.

This week, he's the only Black man in the village, drawing upon his experience of growing up in an all-white town. Through a mixture of poetry and stand-up, he talks about how it felt to be stared at and treated differently, as well as how things changed when he moved to Manchester and wasn't the only Black man in town. He speaks to Oscar-nominated writer/director Cornelius Walker, who documented his childhood move from south-east London to Essex in his short film Black Sheep. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at will to ask Lemn questions about the show.

Written and performed by Lemn Sissay

Guest ... Cornelius Walker

Commentary ... Henry Normal

Recorded by Jerry Peal

Sound mixing by Rich Evans

Produced by Ed Morrish

A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4

Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only black man in the village where he grew up.

Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.

The Only Foster Child In The House

20230324

This week, he's the only foster child in the house, drawing upon his experience of growing up in care as well as his lifetime of advocacy for care leavers. Lemn talks about how how isolated and alone care leavers can feel, and why it matters to make them feel included. He speaks to Terry Galloway, about how his horrific experiences in care led to him travelling the country, getting councils to put more thought into how care leavers are treated. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at will to ask Lemn questions about the show.

Written and performed by Lemn Sissay

Guest ... Terry Galloway

Commentary ... Henry Normal

Recorded by Jerry Peal

Sound mixing by Rich Evans

Produced by Ed Morrish

A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4

Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only foster child in the house.

Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.

The Only Non-graduate At The Graduation

20230310

This week, he's the only non-graduate at the graduation, reflecting on his experience of being Chancellor of the University of Manchester - the person who gives out the degrees - despite never having been through higher education himself, via a mix of poetry and stand-up. He talks about the importance of education, the power of suggestion, and he speaks to the Lord Mayor of Manchester Donna Ludford about how she felt walking into the council chambers for the first time, having become a councillor despite not having been to university. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at various points to ask Lemn questions about the show.

Written and performed by Lemn Sissay

Guest ... Donna Ludford

Commentary ... Henry Normal

Recorded by Jerry Peal

Sound mixing by Rich Evans

Produced by Ed Morrish

A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4.

Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only non-graduate at a graduation.

Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.

The Only Poet On The Bill

20230303

This week, he's the only poet on the bill, reflecting on his formative experiences on the Manchester cabaret/variety/comedy circuit of the 1980s, where he played alongside comedians like Steve Coogan, John Thompson and Caroline Aherne, and musicians like Johnny Dangerously and Claire Mooney.

Starting the show in his dressing room, he walks the listening audience onstage to give them a sense of what it's like to be him, before delivering a mixture of poetry and stand-up on the theme of uniqueness. He speaks to fellow poet Tony Walsh about what it was like to be the only poet at the vigil for the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at various points to ask Lemn questions about the show.

Written and performed by Lemn Sissay

Guest ... Tony Walsh

Commentary ... Henry Normal

Recorded by Jerry Peal

Sound mixing by Rich Evans

Produced by Ed Morrish

A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4.

Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only poet on a mixed bill.

Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
The Only Black Man In The Village	20230317	In Lemn Sissay Is The One And Only, the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across four different areas of his life, looking at situations where he stood out, alone, and examining how that uniqueness felt. This week, he's the only Black man in the village, drawing upon his experience of growing up in an all-white town. Through a mixture of poetry and stand-up, he talks about how it felt to be stared at and treated differently, as well as how things changed when he moved to Manchester and wasn't the only Black man in town. He speaks to Oscar-nominated writer/director Cornelius Walker, who documented his childhood move from south-east London to Essex in his short film Black Sheep. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at will to ask Lemn questions about the show. Written and performed by Lemn Sissay Guest ... Cornelius Walker Commentary ... Henry Normal Recorded by Jerry Peal Sound mixing by Rich Evans Produced by Ed Morrish A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4 Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only black man in the village where he grew up. Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.
The Only Foster Child In The House	20230324	In Lemn Sissay Is The One And Only, the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across four different areas of his life, looking at situations where he stood out, alone, and examining how that uniqueness felt. This week, he's the only foster child in the house, drawing upon his experience of growing up in care as well as his lifetime of advocacy for care leavers. Lemn talks about how how isolated and alone care leavers can feel, and why it matters to make them feel included. He speaks to Terry Galloway, about how his horrific experiences in care led to him travelling the country, getting councils to put more thought into how care leavers are treated. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at will to ask Lemn questions about the show. Written and performed by Lemn Sissay Guest ... Terry Galloway Commentary ... Henry Normal Recorded by Jerry Peal Sound mixing by Rich Evans Produced by Ed Morrish A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4 Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only foster child in the house. Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.
The Only Non-graduate At The Graduation	20230310	In Lemn Sissay Is The One And Only, the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across four different areas of his life, looking at situations where he stood out, alone, and examining how that uniqueness felt. This week, he's the only non-graduate at the graduation, reflecting on his experience of being Chancellor of the University of Manchester - the person who gives out the degrees - despite never having been through higher education himself, via a mix of poetry and stand-up. He talks about the importance of education, the power of suggestion, and he speaks to the Lord Mayor of Manchester Donna Ludford about how she felt walking into the council chambers for the first time, having become a councillor despite not having been to university. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at various points to ask Lemn questions about the show. Written and performed by Lemn Sissay Guest ... Donna Ludford Commentary ... Henry Normal Recorded by Jerry Peal Sound mixing by Rich Evans Produced by Ed Morrish A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4. Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only non-graduate at a graduation. Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.
The Only Poet On The Bill	20230303	In Lemn Sissay Is The One And Only, the poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across four different areas of his life, looking at situations where he stood out, alone, and examining how that uniqueness felt. This week, he's the only poet on the bill, reflecting on his formative experiences on the Manchester cabaret/variety/comedy circuit of the 1980s, where he played alongside comedians like Steve Coogan, John Thompson and Caroline Aherne, and musicians like Johnny Dangerously and Claire Mooney. Starting the show in his dressing room, he walks the listening audience onstage to give them a sense of what it's like to be him, before delivering a mixture of poetry and stand-up on the theme of uniqueness. He speaks to fellow poet Tony Walsh about what it was like to be the only poet at the vigil for the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. Lemn is also joined by Henry Normal, who interrupts at various points to ask Lemn questions about the show. Written and performed by Lemn Sissay Guest ... Tony Walsh Commentary ... Henry Normal Recorded by Jerry Peal Sound mixing by Rich Evans Produced by Ed Morrish A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4. Lemn Sissay reflects on being the only poet on a mixed bill. Lemn Sissay explores the idea of uniqueness across different areas of his life.