Barber Shop Chronicles
By Inua Ellams
Year staged: 2017
Opening night: 30/05/2017
Theatre Company: Co-production between National Theatre, Fuel and West Yorkshire Playhouse
Staged in: Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre
Cast Size: 12
Synopsis
Barber Shop Chronicles is a generously funny, heart-warming and insightful new play set in five African cities, Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra, and in London. Inspired in part by the story of a Leeds barber, the play invites the audience into a unique environment where the banter may be barbed, but the truth always telling. The barbers of these tales are sages, role models and father figures who keep the men together and the stories alive.
This play is suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4. Users can watch a recording of the play via the National Theatre Collection to stream in schools or by booking a time at the National Theatre Archive (located in Waterloo, next to the Old Vic Theatre).
Download a Learning Guide for Barber Shop Chronicles (via National Theatre Collection).
Find the script
Barber Shop Chronicles
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Year published: 2017
Original Cast
Abdul Salis
Kwame / Simon / Wole
Cyril I Nri
Emmanuel
Fisayo Akinde
Samuel
Kwami Odoom
Ethan
Hammed Animanshaun
Wallace / Timothy / Mohammed / Tinashe
Peter Bankole
Kwabena / Brian / Fabrice / Olawale
Maynard Eziashi
Musa / Andile / Mensah
Simon Manyonda
Tanaka / Fiifi
Patrice Naiambana
Tokunbo / Paul / Simphiwe
Sule Rimi
Elnathan / Benjamin / Dwain
David Webber
Abram / Ohene / Sizwe
Anthony Welsh
Winston / Shoni
Production Team
Bijan Sheibani
Director
Rae Smith
Designer
Wendy Spon
Casting
Fiona Bardsley
Deputy Stage Manager
Chris Lake
Prop Supervisor
Andrew Speed
Stage Manager
Inua Ellams
Playwright
Marc Brenner
Production Photographer
Naomi Buchannan Brookes
Assistant Stage Manager
Richard Eustace
Production Manager
Aline David
Movement Director
Michael Henry
Musical Director
Dave Cotton
Construction Supervisor
Renata Hill
Wigs, Hair & Make-up Supervisor
Lee Harrington
Stage Supervisor
Sian Willis
Prop Buyer
Kate Greaves
Lighting Programmer
Rebecca Johnston
Prop Buyer
Ben Vernon
Sound Operator
Kev McCurdy
Fight Director
Phillip Horsburgh
Rigging Supervisor
Diana Ennis
Scenic Art Supervisor
Lydia Crimp
Costume Supervisor
Hazel Holder
Dialect Coach
Jack Knowles
Lighting Designer
Gareth Fry
Sound Designer
Sarah Weltman
Sound and Video Supervisor
Surnee Chan Somchit
Assistant Stage Manager
Michael Harpur
Lighting Supervisor
Fran Miller
Project Producer
Sebastian Born
Dramaturg
Charmain Hoare
Company Voice Work
Tom Lyons
Dramaturg
Ros Brooke-Taylor
Project Producer (NT)
Kate McGrath
Producer (Fuel)
Stella Odunlami
Staff Director
Natalie McCormack
Project Draughting / Digital Art
Peter Atakpo
Barber Consultant
Harriet Mackie
Producer (West Yorkshire Playhouse)
Mimi Poskitt
Producer (West Yorkshire Playhouse)
Additional Materials
Rehearsal and Production Photographs
Ref: RNT/PR/3/917
National Theatre
Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Production File
Ref: RNT/W/1/2
National Theatre
Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Production List
Ref: RNT/W/3/2
National Theatre
Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Production File
Ref: RNT/W/4/2
National Theatre
Costume Notes and Photographs
Ref: RNT/CO/1/778b
National Theatre