Barber Shop Chronicles tickets
One day. Six cities. A thousand stories.
Following two sell-out runs at the National Theatre and a world tour, Inua Ellams’ acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles comes to the Roundhouse this summer.
Newsroom, political platform, local hotspot, confession box, preacher-pulpit and football stadium. For generations, African men have gathered in barber shops to discuss the world. These are places where the banter can be barbed and the truth is always telling.
Directed by Olivier award-winning director Bijan Sheibani and designed by Rae Smith (War Horse), Barber Shop Chronicles is a heart-warming, hilarious and insightful new play that leaps from a barber shop in Peckham to Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra over the course of a single day.
Don’t miss this ‘joyous and life-affirming’ (Independent) smash-hit, beginning 18 July for strictly limited season here in our main space.
Casting Director credit given to Louis Hammond CDG.
Customer Reviews
Really enjoyed it recommend it to my Husband & Son. And then went again to see it with them!
It was an enjoyable show, not what we expected, and I would have liked a bit more of the music. At times a little difficult to understand the accents, but they kept it authentic.
A refreshing, magnificent piece of theatre!! More of this. Looking forward to see what's next for the play writer.
Loved it. Loved the dancing at the beginning - wanted to be young again and join in. Loved the setting and the Complicite inspired moving of the chairs etc. A lot of the jokes and script went over my head though because I couldn't follow the African accents. Great atmosphere. Favourite bit was when one of the actors joked with us and said 'glad you're here, now we can start'
A fantastic show, second time seeing it and I would go back again!
Absolutely loved The Barbershop Chonicles. Funny, thought provoking, amusing and the music was great ππΎ
Absolutely loved it! I'm so glad I manage to get tickets, it was amazing.
I knew it was going to be energetic and joyous but I didn't expect the tender and heartfelt emotional stories to have such an impact. So clever in the way the stories built in layers over time through the banter and bravado as well as the confessions and wisdom shared. The cast were so energetic and on point the whole way through.
Fabulous. Very emotional and fun.
I went with a friend to see this and it was AMAZING!! We both laughed so much throughout the whole show. It had a great storyline and was very easy to keep up with what was going on! Great music throughout to keep the mood and vibe going. Was kinda sad once it ended as it was such a good show. Really hope it comes back as would love to take more people to see it!
Laughter, black mental health, absent fathers, mentoring all brought together. A well orchestrated play that combines topical issues in the African communities with some laughter. Excellent script. A must see.
We really enjoyed Barber Shop Chronicles which was well acted and really brought to life a community hub for men. Yes, you go to the barbers for a hair cut, but itβs much more than that and which was beautifully told in this play. Great actors, great integral scene changes. We were invested from beginning to end. A++
This was a great show. From the start the audience felt welcome and a part of the play by having permission to join the cast on stage. It was funny yet insightful and educational
This was an amazing show and I guarantee you will encourage all your friends to catch the show before it leaves London. High energy actors, thought and informative moments... a Brilliant show!
Loved the show, the cast and the space in the round works well. The story is interesting and poignant, a bird's eye view inside barber shops in Africa and London. The microphone when used in the round made it hard to hear who was speaking sometimes, my only criticism.
The show was so entertaining, creative and informative. Would definitely recommend one to see it!
Such an inclusive, heartfelt, relevant, simplistic humorous experience. Something for all the generations from all walks of life, with informative and enlightening aspects of our collective histories. Threads from many family dynamics. A safe space for male to explore the male condition. Very enjoyable.
Loved the interaction at the beginning. Loved the all male cast, this production provided a maleβs perspective which is very rarely heard! Would watch again with my male friends!
I thought it was a excellent play. The cast were so friendly and interactive. One of the best plays Iβve seen in along time...
Really good and thought-provoking
Loved the topics that were brought up and entertaining. Actors did a great job.
Music, Politics, History, Comedy all in under 2 hrs. Brilliant is an understatement
Loved it .
It was an amazing show with comedy, drama and good music an all round great performance from the cast
Great
An incredible insight to the barbershop scene around the world and itβs importance to Black males of all ages. Funny, sharp, great music and brilliant acting. Floorless and insightful.
Very enjoyable and informative. Reminded me of my younger years in Zambia. Thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson within the play.
I had such a good time. It was engaging and interesting. The topics discussed were real issues and a good concept for others to see how men relate with each other. I learnt a lot about some of the African cultures like Zimbabwe and South Africa and I applaud the cast and director.
An enjoyable evening. Went with my 15 year old son who also thoroughly enjoyed it.
Accurate hilarious and amazing cast
I thoroughly enjoyed this production. It was fresh and new and appealed to both young and old audiences! I would watch it again and I cannot recommend it enough! Go and see it, please!
Excellent show and cast Thoroughly enjoyed the performance , great music, funny , very good theatre
Fantastic and memorable show!
This was theatre at its very best. The cast were energetic, believable, welcoming, and spell-binding. The audience became part of the performance. The dancing was superb. All in all, it was truly amazing. We laughed. We cried. We had The Most Fantastic Time. Well done to all who contributed to the performance.
Excellent balance of comedy and contemporary / historical topics
How refreshing and energising to see Black men portrayed with the sublety, texture and depth so often lacking from characters on the stage and screen of mainstream arts. A joyful and entertaining piece - covering all that you would expect to go on in a barber's chair - humour, politics, relationships, friendships, therapy, footie banter....plus a whole lot more. A must see. I hope they do a national tour and come back to London for another run.
Such fun, great actors good story, they all look like they are enjoying their roles.The venue is great and staff too. Go and see this you'll love it.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable show from beginning to end! From the audience participation during the βCandyβ dance at the beginning, to cleverly woven tales from barber salons all over Africa, comprising of profound discussions regarding male role models, causes and effects of addiction, and shocking misconceptions, which were ultimately revealed, running throughout the play. Excellent!
Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was so good to see other cultures in relation to social background and social change. It was full of fun, full of laughter and very refreshing!!!
Enjoyable from start to finish!
Funny witty so much fun highly recommend
Lovely informative great
A great performance. Dancing in between scenes was brilliant, I enjoyed the music, vibrancy and reality of the show.
It had alot of insightful information and was really funny. I would've given a 5 star had the accents been better.
Full of laughter, so emotional ...I was taken on a full trip. Just loved it
A heart-warming show! A must see for many young people.
Great show.
The play was excellent. The storyline was cleverly played out through the production. The changes from barber shop to barber shop across Africa was superbly done. The production was hilarious yet serious at the same time and address some complex issues weΔΊl. Would definitely recommend ππΎππΎππΎ
Randomly selected tickets for this show. What a pleasant surprise! The stories were funny and informative. Overall recommend it.
We enjoyed this full-on portrayal of black male relationships around the barber's chair in barber shops around the world. Great music interludes between individual acts within the production. The only downside was that the sound was slightly blurred. There were a lot of jokes that some of the audience could share so the dialogue was key in this experience. We enjoyed the show and would recommend.
FAQs
Address
ROUNDHOUSE
Chalk Farm Road,
London, NW1 8EH
Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges available after purchase.
Duration
1 hour and 45 minutes, no interval.
Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance.
Good To Know
Latecomers
For tickets in rear stalls: Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance
For tickets in front stalls: There is one latecomers point 25 minutes into the show
Suitable For Children
12+
What Should I Expect
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‘Exuberant. A debating chamber where you shed your locks but regain your identity’
- Independent
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‘Vivid and energetic. Take a seat at a revolutionary barber’s shop’
- Guardian
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‘Funny, fast, thoughtful, moving. An absolute cracker’
- Evening Standard
When Can I Go
18th July - 24th August 2019