National Theatre at Home: Barber Shop Chronicles
One day. Six cities. A thousand stories.
Following two sell-out runs at the National Theatre, a world tour, and a hugely successful summer residency at London's Roundhouse, Inua Ellams’ acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles is now available to watch through National Theatre at Home.
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, 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.
This enhanced archive recording was captured by the National Theatre in January 2018 and features the original cast.
We’re all about experiencing theatre together.
At a time when many theatre fans around the world aren’t able to visit National Theatre Live venues or local theatres, we’re excited to bring you National Theatre at Home.
Barber Shop Chronicles streamed from 7pm UK time on 14 May, until 7pm on Thursday 21 May.
Some of the best British theatre was free to watch from the comfort of your living room, via YouTube, with each title available for one week.
Thank you to all the amazing artists who have allowed us to share Barber Shop Chronicles in this way, during a time when many theatre fans aren’t able to visit their local theatre.
Co-commissioned by Fuel and the National Theatre. Development funded by Arts Council England with the support of Fuel, National Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, The Binks Trust, British Council ZA, Òran Mór and A Play, a Pie and a Pint.

Click here to support the Roundhouse, our partners on the 2019 London production of Barber Shop Chronicles.