Barber Shop Chronicles - National Theatre (Dorfman)
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
BARBER Shop Chronicles, a new play by Inua Ellams, opens in the Dorfman Theatre on June 7 (previews from May 30) before continuing in repertoire until July 8, 2017.
A co-production with Fuel and West Yorkshire Playhouse, Barber Shop Chronicles is directed by Bijan Sheibani.
Newsroom, political platform, local hot-spot, confession box, preacher-pulpit and football stadium. For generations, African men have gathered in barber shops to discuss the world.
Described as a dynamic new play, Barber Shop Chronicles journeys from a barber shop in London, to Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos and Accra. These are places where the banter can be barbed and the truth is always telling.
Barber Shop Chronicles is Inua Ellams’ third play at the National Theatre, following the The 14th Tale and Black T-shirt Collection.
The cast includes Fisayo Akinade, Hammed Animashaun, Peter Bankole, Maynard Eziashi, Simon Manyonda, Patrice Naiambana, Cyril Nri, Kwami Odoom, Sule Rimi, Abdul Salis, David Webber and Anthony Welsh.
The production is designed by Rae Smith, with lighting design by Jack Knowles, movement direction by Aline David and sound design by Gareth Fry.
Barber Shop Chronicles will play at West Yorkshire Playhouse from July 12 to July 29.