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.
‘Joyous. Brilliantly acted. Life-affirming. Go.’
‘Exuberant. A debating chamber where you shed your locks but regain your identity’
‘Vivid and energetic. Take a seat at a revolutionary barber’s shop’
‘Funny, fast, thoughtful, moving. An absolute cracker’
‘Remarkable. A cut above the rest’
For more like this, check out Fades, Braids & Identity – a series of theatre, photography, film and spoken word championing Black and Brown artists exploring race, gender and identity.
“Roundhouse turned my world around. It’s a really special place and I wouldn’t be where I am now without it.
” EliseRead our stories

Essential Info
*Fees are £2.20 per transaction
Age guidance: 12+
Running time: about 1 hour 45 minutes, no interval
If you select e-tickets, your tickets will be emailed to you on the day of the performance.
Pre show
Doors open early, come soak up the pre-show vibes. You might even find yourself dancing with the cast onstage.
Latecomers
If you arrive late, you may be asked to wait until a suitable point in the performance to be seated. This may be in the rear stalls for the safe running of the show.
Readmittance
If you need to leave during the show, when you come back in you may be re-seated in the rear stalls in different seats, again for the safe running of the show.
If you have any questions regarding latecomers or readmittance, please contact us by calling 0300 6789 2222, or email access@roundhouse.org.uk and we will be happy to advise.
Accessible Performances
If you have any specific access requirements, or if we can assist you with your visit in any other way, please do let us know in advance by calling 0300 6789 2222, or email access@roundhouse.org.uk
Audio Described Performance:
Saturday 24 August at 3pm with Touch Tour at 2pm
AGED 16-25?
There are currently no Get In tickets left for the run of Barber Shop Chronicles.
Further tickets may become available, so sign up to GET IN to be the first to be notified!
GROUPS
Groups of 10+ receive a discount on bands B, C, and D*
Groups of 6+ receive a discount on band B for matinees, bands B and C for evening performances*
*Mon – Thu & matinees only
Offer automatically applies when eligible number of tickets are added to basket
Food and Drink
Grab a bite to eat before the show as we are joined by some of London’s most exciting African-influenced street food pop-ups
Credits
Co-commissioned by Fuel and the National Theatre. Development funded by Arts Council England with the support of Fuel, National Theatre Studio, Leeds Playhouse, The Binks Trust, British Council ZA, Oran Mor and A Play, a Pie and a Pint.