African premiere of 'Barber Shop Chronicles' explores masculinity, friendship and barbershop culture

All men will be free this November to cheat on their barber and never regret it - at least on stage. The Market Theatre closes the year by staging the renowned Barber Shop Chronicles for the first time on African soil.

Written by Nigerian-born British playwright, Inua Ellams, the international-hit play is directed by Sibusiso Mamba.

It will run from November 6 to 30, 2025, in the John Kani Theatre.

The play chronicles six barbershops across the cities of Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra as well as London. It’s an insightful exploration of masculinity, vulnerability and connection.

Ellams explains: “The narrative unfolds over a single day, connecting the lives and stories of African men. These barbershops serve as sanctuaries where men gather not just for haircuts but for camaraderie, debate and solace, exploring themes of identity, fatherhood, history, relationships, culture, race and masculinity. It also offers a poignant and humorous exploration of the African diaspora experience.”

Having been loved by audiences internationally, the play’s African premiere marks a surreal moment for Ellams.

“The Market Theatre,” he says, “is every progressive theatre-maker’s dream venue. To have my work not just staged on the African continent but at this iconic institution is an honour I wouldn’t have imagined possible.

"I’m greatly excited for the future ahead, hopeful that this premiere will be the beginning of the production’s intra-Africa tour.”

This highly-anticipated piece unmasks men in their complexities, showing barbershops as integral communities in which connection and correction mutually thrive. While culturally prejudiced gazes may have framed barbershops as problematic, chaotic and misogynistic, the play offers an unapologetic counter-framing that highlights the safety, honesty and comedy characterising these spaces.

The play enthusiastically shows barbershops across Africa as dynamic spaces uniquely designed for black men to try make sense of their world, with barbers going beyond crafting eye-catching crispy fades and becoming unofficial therapists, football analysts and relentless comedians, in the process creating unbreakable brotherhood.

This charged atmosphere turns the old rule about never cheating on your barber into something deeper. It’s more than loyalty to the one holding the clippers - it defines the barbershop as a place where men leave looking and feeling transformed.

The refreshing sense of newness shines through the haircut as it is noticeable in the change of perspective, neatly trimmed by razor-sharp engagements with peers. It’s an unmistakable feeling of having let go of a burden and embracing change.

Director, Sibusiso Mamba, describes the work as a pan-African and diasporic celebration of black masculinities in their various ways of being.

“This play confronts the often-repeated notion that men don’t have platforms where they can really talk, making a strong case for the barbershop as a space for men’s gatherings. The fact that men talk in a language often times misunderstood by the world doesn’t mean there’s no talking happening.

"Just as no two men’s hair is identical or needs the same cut, the script acknowledges the difference and sensitivity in each one of us and the different forms of masculinity that exist. Barbershops can therefore be sanctuaries that allow men to pour out their hearts, find fellowship and crack jokes without care of societal expectations,” concludes Mamba.

Greg Homann, artistic director at The Market Theatre Foundation, is chuffed to programme this  theatre piece on the John Kani Stage by one of the leading contemporary playwrights in the world.

“For us, this production deepens our ongoing commitment of being the home of African storytelling by programming works that not only focus on local issues, but the broader continent as well.

"Arriving at a time of harmful narratives against African immigrants, the play’s infectious humour, witty writing and edgy drama will act as a much-needed balm to sooth us into the end of 2025.

"We’re in a phase of boldly reaffirming the kind of work that we’ve always been known for throughout our nearly 50 years of fearless existence as South Africa’s cultural cornerstone.”

Tickets for Barber Shop Chronicles are available on Webtickets from R170. Half-price Wednesdays and group discounts for four or more people apply.