Media & Press
Latest news, press releases, production photography and media enquiries for Barbershop Uncut Stories.
At a Glance
Created by
Lorna Jones
Written & Directed by
BAFTA-winning Rochelle Newman
Produced by
New Duke Films
Genre
Community Theatre | Creative Health
What is Barbershop Uncut Stories?
Barbershop Uncut Stories is an original theatre production that transforms the trusted space of the barbershop into a stage for powerful conversations about health, identity and community. Through authentic storytelling, humour and lived experience, the production encourages audiences to reflect, connect and take positive action.
Book via Eventbrite
About
Barbershop Uncut Stories is an innovative theatre production that uses the familiar environment of the Black barbershop to explore important conversations around health, identity and community.
Created by Lorna Jones and written and directed by BAFTA-winning Rochelle Newman, the production combines powerful storytelling, humour, music and lived experience to tackle health inequalities, challenge stigma and encourage open conversations.
Every performance is followed by an expert panel discussion featuring healthcare professionals, community leaders and people with lived experience, providing audiences with the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and access trusted information.
By combining theatre with community engagement, Barbershop Uncut Stories demonstrates how creativity can be used to improve awareness, inspire dialogue and encourage earlier access to support and healthcare services.
Latest News
Stay up to date with the latest announcements from Barbershop Uncut Stories.
Barbershop Uncut Stories is continuing to build powerful partnerships with healthcare organisations, charities and community groups to reach more people and create lasting impact. We are pleased to present the next production in partnership with RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance and Croydon Council Creative Health Team.
Read the press release
Barbershop Uncut Stories has been featured in the Museum of Croydon's Creative Health Exhibition, celebrating the role of creativity in improving health and wellbeing.
Barbershop Uncut Stories premiered at Peckham Theatre to a crowd of over 200 local residents, developed in collaboration with the NHS South East London Cancer Alliance and Southwark Council to raise awareness of prostate cancer in Black communities.
Read the full article on SELCA NHS
Award-winning writer and director Rochelle Newman brings her expertise in authentic storytelling to Barbershop Uncut Stories, helping transform lived experiences into compelling theatre.
The Team
Creator & Producer
Lorna Jones is an award-winning Trichologist and founder of C & Hair CIC. She created Barbershop Uncut Stories to use theatre and creative health as powerful tools to raise awareness, reduce health inequalities and encourage life-saving conversations within Black communities.
Her work brings together healthcare professionals, artists and communities to create innovative projects that educate, empower and inspire change.
LinkedIn
Writer & Director
BAFTA-winning writer, director and producer Rochelle Newman is the co-founder of New Duke Films. She has built a distinguished career creating compelling stories that amplify underrepresented voices and inspire audiences.
Through her work, Rochelle transformed real community experiences into a powerful theatrical production that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
therochellenewman.comProduced by New Duke Films
New Duke Films is an independent production company dedicated to creating powerful stories that challenge perceptions, inspire conversation and create positive social change.
@newdukefilmsC & Hair CIC
C & Hair CIC is a community interest company dedicated to improving health and wellbeing through creative and community-led initiatives, bringing together healthcare, arts and lived experience to inspire positive change.
Recognition
Barbershop Uncut Stories has gained recognition for its innovative approach to creative health and community engagement.
Highlights include:
Created by award-winning Trichologist, Lorna Jones
Written and directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Rochelle Newman
Featured in the Museum of Croydon's Creative Health Exhibition
Developed in partnership with healthcare organisations and community groups
Recognised for using theatre to tackle health inequalities and inspire positive action
Photography
A selection of approved production photographs is available for editorial use.
The gallery includes:
Adesola Ayodeji and Jaden Cameron. Photo credit: Glenn Foster
Victor Rios and Riccardo Bramwell. Photo credit: Glenn Foster
Jordan Wallace and Victor Rios. Photo credit: Jay Stewart
From L-R The Mayor of Camden (2025) Cllr Eddie Hanson, Rochelle Newman, Lorna Jones, The Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Sunny Lambe, Cllr Lambe's wife. Picture Credit: Jay Stewart
Director, Rochelle Newman rehearsing with the cast. Photo credit: Kwaku Bonsu
From L-R Jeff Thompson, Riccardo Bramwell, Jordan Wallace, Victor Rios, Rochelle Newman. Photo credit: Kwaku Bonsu
Dr Olubukola Ayodele, Mr Jonathan Noel and Miss Carol Norman. Photo credit: Glenn Foster
Grace Zisengwe, Naman Julka-Anderson, Dr Anthony Cunliffe and Host, Elaine Bowes. Photo credit: Jay Stewart
Lorna Jones
Rochelle Newman
If you require high-resolution images for publication, interviews or promotional purposes, please contact us using the details below.
Request High Resolution ImagesPress Releases
Press Release
Barbershop Uncut Stories is continuing to build powerful partnerships with healthcare organisations, charities and community groups to reach more people and create lasting impact.
We are pleased to announce that the next production will be presented in partnership with RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance and Croydon Council Creative Health Team — two organisations committed to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for communities across London.
RM Partners NHS Cancer Alliance works across North West and South West London to improve cancer outcomes for patients and communities. Their involvement brings vital NHS expertise and reach to the programme, helping ensure that the conversations started in the barbershop connect directly to healthcare pathways and support services.
Croydon Council's Creative Health Team champions the use of arts and culture as tools for improving health and wellbeing. Their partnership reflects a shared belief that creative approaches — including theatre — can reach people who may not engage with traditional health messaging.
Together, these partnerships strengthen Barbershop Uncut Stories' mission to use trusted community spaces to raise awareness of prostate cancer and breast cancer, reduce stigma, and encourage earlier conversations that can save lives.
The next performance takes place on 2nd October 2026 at The BRIT School, Croydon.
Tickets are free and available via Eventbrite.
For media enquiries contact [email protected]
Contact
For interviews, photography requests, press information or media enquiries, please contact:
Lorna Jones
Follow us on social media for the latest updates and announcements.
Press Information
Barbershop Uncut Stories is an original community theatre production that uses the trusted environment of the Black barbershop to explore conversations around health, identity and community.
Created by Lorna Jones and written and directed by BAFTA-winning Rochelle Newman, the production combines authentic storytelling, humour and lived experience to raise awareness of health inequalities affecting Black communities.
Every performance is followed by an expert panel discussion featuring healthcare professionals and community voices, creating opportunities for audiences to ask questions, challenge myths and access trusted information.
Through theatre, storytelling and community engagement, Barbershop Uncut Stories encourages conversations that can lead to greater awareness, earlier action and improved health outcomes.