THE Man Booker Prize-nominated novel, The Fisherman, is set to come to the stage of Artrix as a play.

The acclaimed new play The Fishermen is based on the debut novel by Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma, which was named as a best book of the year by the Observer, the Economist, the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal.

The stage adaptation comes to Artrix on Tuesday October 2 as the only West Midlands date of a national tour.

A spokesman said: “Fringe First-winning playwright Gbolahan Obisesan has adapted the story of four brothers torn apart by a prophecy.

“In a small Nigerian town, Ben and Obembe slip away to fish at a forbidden river along with their two older brothers. Risking the wrath of their father, who expects great things of them all, they continue unnoticed and carefree until one day the prophecy of a madman changes the course of their lives.”

The spokesman added: “This is a powerful allegory of brotherhood, vengeance and fate”.

The play will be performed by rising stars Michael Ajao (The Lorax, Br’er Cotton) and Valentine Olukoga (Liberian Girl) in a virtuous piece for two actors.

Director Jack McNamara said: “The rapturous response to Chigozie Obiama’s novel is one of the great success stories of modern African literature, and we are honored to be presenting in stage form for the first time. In our production, we have taken this intense family saga and boiled it down to an extraordinary encounter between two brothers.

“I am extremely excited to bring the talents of such special young actors to audiences across the country, continuing our mission to bring fresh international stories into the touring circuit.”

Gbolahan Obisesan is a director and Fringe First winning writer. His previous plays include an adaption of Pigeon English (Bristol Old Vic, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013) and the Fringe First winning Mad About the Boy (2011). Giant Jam Sandwich (Pleasance). For tickets, go to artrix.co.uk or call 01527 577330.