The National Theatre’s production of Barber Shop Chronicles is no longer available to watch as part of National Theatre At Home. However, schools can still watch the full show through the National Theatre Collection service.
Find out more about the National Theatre Collection.
See our Complete Guide to the National Theatre’s Free Teaching Resources.
About the National Theatre’s 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 is a never-seen-before archive recording of Barber Shop Chronicles. The film features the original cast, filmed by the National Theatre during its second, sold-out run at the Dorfman Theatre in January 2018.
The Barber Shop Chronicles has no specific age recommendations, and runs for 1 hour, 45 minutes with no interval.
Find out more about the National Theatre’s Barber Shop Chronicles.
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Barber Shop Chronicles Educational Videos.
Delve into the movement, music and vocal elements of the Barber Shop Chronicles. These videos have been produced by the National Theatre, giving an insight into the creation of the production. Videos can be used to study the piece and help with a Live Theatre Review.
These videos can link to Drama, English and Music. The production is suitable for those in Key Stage 4 and above, but can also be viewed by younger students.
Barber Shop Chronicles | Rehearsal Room Diaries #1 – Movement and Music.
Barber Shop Chronicles | Rehearsal Room Diaries #2.
Barber Shop Chronicles – Vocal Transitions with Michael Henry.
Barber Shop Chronicles Audio Description Notes.
Explore the production further with the National Theatre’s accompanying Barber Shop Chronicles Audio Description Notes. The first gives a glimpse of the background to the play. The second provides a more in-depth look into the set, characters and costumes.
Listen to the Audio Described Background to Barber Shop Chronicles.
Listen to the Audio Described Notes of the Set, Characters and Costumes.
How to watch Barber Shop Chronicles
The National Theatre’s production of Barber Shop Chronicles is no longer available to watch as part of National Theatre At Home. However, schools can still watch the full show through the National Theatre Collection service.
Find out more about the National Theatre Collection.
Find out more about the National Theatre’s Educational Offering
As well as the National Theatre Collection, the NT offers a wide range of education packs, educational videos and other resources that you can use for free.
See our complete guide on the National Theatre’s Education Offering.
Take a virtual school trip!
See our complete guide of 40 Virtual School Trip Ideas You Can Do For Free. The list features virtual school trips broken down by subject, Key Stage and opportunities.
See the full list of 40 Virtual School Trip Ideas You Can Do For Free.
For more free resources, see our Complete Guide of Free Teaching Resources, Teaching Ideas & Educational Activities. The list features over 100 resources broken down by subject, Key Stage and opportunities.