Barbershop Uncut Stories Takes to the BRIT Stage

On Friday 2 October, Barbershop Uncut Stories took to the stage at The BRIT School in Croydon for the first of three performances taking place this October.

The evening brought together theatre, lived experience and health education to create a space where audiences could laugh, reflect, recognise themselves in the stories being told – and, most importantly, start conversations about prostate cancer.

Created by Lorna Jones, written and directed by Rochelle Newman and produced by New Duke Films, Barbershop Uncut Stories uses the trusted environment of the barbershop as its stage. The production explores the conversations that can take place when men are given the right environment to talk openly about their health, relationships, family and vulnerability.

Before the play began, audiences were invited to take part in Dis the Myths, an interactive myth-busting session designed to challenge some of the common misconceptions surrounding prostate cancer.

This was followed by the performance itself, bringing together stories inspired by real experiences and developed into a powerful piece of theatre.

After the performance, the conversation continued with a post-show panel, giving the audience the opportunity to hear directly from health professionals and experts and to ask questions.

The response from the audience highlighted why creating these spaces matters.

For some, the evening prompted a personal reflection on their own health and the health of the men around them. For others, it opened up conversations that might otherwise never have happened.

One audience member told us that, after watching the performance, he was considering bringing some of his friends with him to get checked.

That is exactly the kind of response Barbershop Uncut Stories hopes to encourage: awareness that leads to action.

The production is particularly focused on raising awareness of prostate cancer among Black men, who face a significantly higher risk of developing the disease. But the conversations extend beyond statistics – exploring masculinity, vulnerability, fatherhood, relationships, family history and the importance of speaking up about our health.

The Croydon performance was made possible with the support of our partners and funders, RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance and Croydon Council Creative Health team whose commitment has helped bring Barbershop Uncut Stories to the BRIT stage.

We are also incredibly grateful to the people who have trusted us with their stories. Their courage and openness are at the heart of this production and have enabled us to create something that can reach audiences in a very different way.

This performance kicked off our 2026 tour. Two further performances will take place at Reading Rep Theatre on 16 and 23 October, continuing the conversation with communities across Reading and surrounding areas.

The aim remains simple: to create the right environment for conversations, challenge myths, raise awareness of the signs and risks of prostate cancer, and encourage people to take action when it matters.

Because sometimes a conversation in the right environment can be the start of something much bigger.