Barber Shop Chronicles (BAM)

See it if Conversations in African barber shops mixed w/lively “afro-beat” music & dancing. Stories of fatherhood, politics, women, work & loss.

Don't see it if You prefer a single narrative rather than a collection of slice-of-life fragments. Heavy accents are sometimes difficult to understand.

Also Get there a little early to enjoy the music, sit in the barber shop chairs on the stage, & take pictures with the cast. If you sit in the front rows, there is an immersive element as you are on the floor of the barber shop.... Read more Read less

See it if you like the idea of multiple, unrelated stories taking place in a common environment.

Don't see it if you have a lot of trouble with thick accents. I had a hard time understanding some of what was being said.

See it if high energy performances, diff. vignettes that take place in 5 diff. barber shops (London & 4 African countries); Afrobeat music & movement

Don't see it if accents may take some time to get used to; story lines alternate so not straight forward; if you hate missing anything; can be confusing

Also Interesting discussions of African politics, issues involving black masculinity. Connections between those living in Africa and those who have left.
I would see again if it were here longer since I had 'aha' moments at end.
Great movements including dance moves & moving the wheeled barber shop chairs around.... Read more Read less

See it if A slice-of-life look at father/son relationships, politics, and sorrow grabs you. And why the heck not?

Don't see it if You are not interested in human nature and how we get by, around the world.

Also A friend saw this in London and raved about it. I thoroughly enjoyed this offbeat production, in spite of the trouble I had with the African accents. The show shifts seamlessly between locations in Nigeria, London, Zimbabwe, and Lagos, and in the process holds a mirror up to human nature at home and abroad.

I loved the lively pre-show (go up on stage and get a “trim” from a “barber”) and boisterous scene changes.

Loads of fun!... Read more Read less

See it if Wonderful intermix of stories told by men in multiple cities in Africa (and London)--with great choreography and verve-- very resonant.

Don't see it if Hard to hear in the balcony as well as the complexity of many​ accents--wish I got a hearing device.

See it if you want a fun look into the overlapping cultures of black men all over Africa and London.

Don't see it if You need a realistic set and straight-forward story. Or have a difficult time with accents.

See it if Wonderful collage of striving humanity dealing with life told thru conversations in six barbershops in Africa and London.

Don't see it if Sometimes the accents may be hard to understand (but it shouldn't deter you). All- male, constantly changing scenes, vignettes.

Also Loved this show. Wonderfully staged and enthusiastically acted it is life-affirming, informative (in a good way) and deals with fathers and sons,immigrant aspirations and the African diaspora of which I knew very little. It's a big blast of adrenaline delivered in small brilliant doses as well as celebratory group dances. See it.... Read more Read less

See it if Enthusiastically acted but not much of a play, more of a feel good exercise

Don't see it if Too long for it has to offer

See it if you love comedy interspersed with though-provoking dialogue

Don't see it if have a hard time with accents