WeeklySA_AdminMASCULINITy: With laughter, music and emotional truth, Barber Shop Chronicles shows how the humble barbershop becomes a sanctuary for men across continents to connect and confront their pain…
By Jacob Mawela
The widely held belief that men don’t talk—that they bottle up their fears, pains and disappointments—is delightfully debunked in the hilarious and heartfelt stage production Barber Shop Chronicles. The international hit, written by Nigerian-born British playwright Inua Ellams and directed by Sibusiso Mamba, is currently captivating audiences at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre.
The play proves, with warmth and wit, that men do talk—and when they feel free of judgement, they talk about everything: sorrow and joy, failure and triumph, confusion and clarity. In the safe, familiar setting of a barbershop, Ellams reveals how African men navigate vulnerability, identity and connection.
Speaking in an interview, director Sibusiso Mamba describes the task of staging the production as both thrilling and intimidating.
“Of course it’s intimidating,” he says with a laugh. “It’s a frightening responsibility to try and present so many characters. There are thirty-something characters played by just ten actors. Creating versions of each character that are memorable and emotionally resonant is a huge challenge. Intimidating is definitely the word. But challenges are what we look for.”
One of the greatest tests, he explains, is the play’s structure—its continual “criss-crossing” across the African continent and back to London. “But that’s also the exciting part,” he adds. “There’s a thin line between being terrified by something and being excited by the possibilities.”
Mamba is quick to emphasise that directing is never a solo exercise. He credits the production team, including musical director Tshepo Mngoma, with shaping the sonic and emotional landscape of the show. “The first thing you want to do as a director is assemble a team of people you admire and respect—people whose work will elevate the vision,” he says. “Working with a brilliant choreographer to bring each city to life, and an incredible cast who take audiences along on these journeys, is the true work of the play.”
Avoiding audience confusion, especially given the play’s multiple settings and intertwined stories, was a core priority. “It’s easy to watch a play like this and get lost. The last thing I wanted was for people to be confused about where we were going,” Mamba explains. “Have we overdone it? Maybe. But I’d rather that than not being clear.”
He believes the final production honours Ellams’ intentions: “We’ve done our best to fulfil the author’s vision as we understood it. The team has stepped up incredibly well. I think Inua would be proud.”
Barber Shop Chronicles unfolds across six barbershops located in Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra and London. Its lively ensemble and rapid scene shifts create a rich, comedic yet deeply moving exploration of Black masculinity. Barbershops are presented as vital community spaces—where connection and correction coexist, where men can be both strong and vulnerable.
For Mamba, the play’s themes resonate on a personal level. “Growing up, I saw a lot of pain and hurt manifesting as rage among men in my family. It pushed me to try and understand how men deal with pain and anger,” he reflects. “I encountered Inua’s play seven or eight years ago in the UK, and it hit me hard because I had been asking similar questions.”
He believes society still clings to harmful narratives about masculinity. “We still teach men to be strong, not to show emotions, and to see vulnerability as weakness. That’s dangerous,” he says. “This play gives us space to challenge that.”
Market Theatre artistic director Greg Homann shares that sentiment. “For us, this theatre piece deepens our commitment to being the home of African storytelling,” he says. “We want to programme works that speak not only to local issues but to the broader continent.”
Mamba feels that audiences have responded to the story with unexpected warmth. “I think we’ve connected with audiences in a surprising way,” he says. “We’ve taken them with us across cities and across emotional landscapes. As a team, we’ve done the best job we can to present the story clearly and engagingly.”
Though Barber Shop Chronicles is an engaging and powerful work, it may feel slightly long for some theatre-goers. Still, its humour, depth, and the emotional truth at its centre make it a compelling theatrical journey.
* The production runs until Sunday (November 30), at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.
