National Theatre: Barber Shop Chronicles

This touring blockbuster from the UK’s top theater zips between London and four African cities to capture the barber shop as place for African men to gather and talk—with some grooming on the side. With a punchy, truth-telling script by Nigerian-born poet/playwright Inua Ellams, the barbers and their customers joke, squabble, tell tall tales and (of course) discuss soccer—all the while raising profound issues of migration, race, masculinity and fatherhood. The 12 bustling actors use bursts of song, chant and movement to transition from one country and character to another. Contains adult language.