Every January, Sydney Festival enlivens and transforms Sydney with a bold cultural celebration based on the highest quality art and big ideas. Now in its 42nd year, Sydney Festival takes place from the 6–28 January 2018, to once again turn the entire city into a cultural hub.
As part of Sydney Festival 2018, we're delighted to have supported Barber Shop Chronicles - the dynamic new play from award-winning poet, playwright and performer Inua Ellams.
For African men the world over, the barber shop is more than a place to get a shave and a haircut – it’s where a guy can let down his guard. Nigerian born, UK-based Ellams recreates barber shop scenes from London to Johannesburg in this fresh, funny, truth-telling play, direct from the National Theatre in London.
Described by The Independent as 'joyous', 'brilliantly acted' and 'life-affirming', Barber Shop Chronicles was shown at the Seymour Centre from 18 - 28 January.
About Inua Ellams
Inua Ellams is a poet, performer, playwright, graphic artist and designer based in London. He was born in Nigeria in 1984 and moved to London as a teenager.
Merging visual art, poetry and theatre, telling stories with iconic imagery, humour and beauty he writes about his upbringing, the experience of immigration and about living in London today, bringing words to life with pace and rhythm, cadence and intonation.
He started performing in cafes in 2003 and has since worked in venues which include Queen Elizabeth Hall, Tate Britain, Theatre Royal Stratford and Glastonbury Festival. He has also undertaken several commissions, including those for Tate Modern, Soho Theatre and for the BBC's Politics Show.
We have worked with Inua Ellams internationally on a number of occasions - most recently, when he brought his wild energy to explore national identity and belonging in An Evening with an Immigrant at Sydney Opera House's Antidote Festival in September 2017.