- Venue Lyric Hammersmith, London
- Performance dates Booking to 25 April 2026
- Age guidelines 14+
Direct from Broadway, the Tony Award-winning comedy Jaja’s African Hair Braiding made its UK premiere at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for a strictly limited London run.
Step inside a lively Harlem salon where the hair is braided fast, but the gossip travels faster. Over the course of one life-changing day, a group of West African women share the stories, secrets, and survival instincts that bind their community together.
This vibrant, rhythmic and heart-filled celebration of identity captivated audiences and critics alike during its London engagement.
Written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Monique Touko, the production reunited the original creative team behind School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding played at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre until 25 April 2026 and has now closed. Further productions or future returns have yet to be announced.
What is Jaja’s African Hair Braiding about?
‘Are we making money today or what?’
Welcome to Jaja’s! This bustling Harlem braiding salon is where neighbourhood women come to have their greatest hairstyle dreams come true, all in the hands of a lively group of West African, immigrant braiders.
Across one hot summers day, these women experience everything in the pressure cooker of the sweltering shop: from demanding customers to secrets and lies, laughter and betrayal. But each of these women has big dreams as well, dreams which increasingly pit them against the city they call home.
Videos & Photos
Performance Information
Check booking calendar for full details
- Evenings
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Matinees
- Wednesday
- Saturday
- Group Bookings For groups of 10+ enquire here
Stars and Creatives
Who is in the cast of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding?
- Bola Akeju as Ndidi
- Renee Bailey as Vanessa/Sheila/Radia
- babirye bukilwa as Aminata
- Zainab Jah as Jaja
- Demmy Ladipo as James/Franklin/Olu/Eric
- Dani Moseley as Michelle/Chrissy/Laniece
- Sewa Zamba as Marie
- Jadesola Odunjo as Miriam
- Dolapo Oni as Bea
- Karene Peter as Jennifer
Who are the creative team of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding?
- Written by Jocelyn Bioh
- Directed by Monique Touko
- Set design by Paul Wills
- Costume design by Jessica Cabassa
- Wigs, Hair & Make-Up design by Cynthia De La Rosa
- Lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi
- Sound design by Tony Gayle
- Video design by Dick Straker
- Movement direction by Kloé Dean.
- Casting by Julia Horan
- Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Head of Department Teváe Humphrey
- Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Supervisor Suzanne Scotcher
- Associate Director Xanthus
- Assistant direction by Gráinne Flynn.
Important Notes
Access performances
- Audio Described Performance: Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 7.30pm (Touch Tour 6pm)
- BSL Performance: Tuesday 07 April 2026 at 7.30pm
- Chilled Performance: Wednesday 08 April 2026 at 2.30pm
- Open Captioned Performance: Thursday 16 April 2026 at 7.30pm
Venue Information
Lyric Hammersmith , King Street, London, W6 0QL
Nearest Tube or Train: Hammersmith (District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City)
Nearest Buses: 27, 110, 190, 218, 267, 306, H91, N9, N11, N266
Google
AppleCritics' reviews of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
★★★★ “Crowd-pleasing energy, charisma and expert comic timing” The Guardian
★★★★ “Full of vibrant characters whose stories leave us wanting more” The Stage
★★★★ “Buoyant and bursting with heart” London Theatre
★★★★ “A hilarious and moving play” What's On Stage
★★★★ “A fast-talking joy” The Arts Desk
★★★★ “A wonderful ensemble cast” All That Dazzles
★★★★ “Filled with a vibrant joy” Broadway World
Frequently Asked Questions
News about Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Watch: First trailer released for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at the Lyric Hammersmith in London
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