Jaja's African Hair Braiding — Cast Key Art

The UK Premiere of the Tony Award-Winning Play

Jaja's African Hair Braiding — By Jocelyn Bioh, Directed by Monique Touko Jaja's African Hair Braiding — By Jocelyn Bioh, Directed by Monique Touko
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
18 March – 25 April 2026

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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 summer's 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.

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Jaja's African Hair Braiding is a portrayal of femininity rooted in the African experience. Jocelyn's writing is a celebration and interrogation of what it means to dream and survive in a place where you are othered.
Monique Touko, Director

The Company

Zainab Jah
Bio

Zainab Jah

Jaja

Sewa Zamba
Bio

Sewa Zamba

Marie

Bola Akeju
Bio

Bola Akeju

Ndidi

babirye bukilwa
Bio

babirye bukilwa

Aminata

Dolapo Oni
Bio

Dolapo Oni

Bea

Jadesola Odunjo
Bio

Jadesola Odunjo

Miriam

Karene Peter
Bio

Karene Peter

Jennifer

Renee Bailey
Bio

Renee Bailey

Vanessa / Sheila / Radia

Dani Moseley
Bio

Dani Moseley

Michelle / Chrissy / Laniece

Demmy Ladipo
Bio

Demmy Ladipo

Various Roles

Zainab Jah
Bio

Zainab Jah

Jaja

Sewa Zamba
Bio

Sewa Zamba

Marie

Bola Akeju
Bio

Bola Akeju

Ndidi

babirye bukilwa
Bio

babirye bukilwa

Aminata

Dolapo Oni
Bio

Dolapo Oni

Bea

Jadesola Odunjo
Bio

Jadesola Odunjo

Miriam

Karene Peter
Bio

Karene Peter

Jennifer

Renee Bailey
Bio

Renee Bailey

Vanessa / Sheila / Radia

Dani Moseley
Bio

Dani Moseley

Michelle / Chrissy / Laniece

Demmy Ladipo
Bio

Demmy Ladipo

Various Roles

Creative Team

Written by Jocelyn Bioh
Directed by Monique Touko
Set Design Paul Wills
Costume Design Jessica Cabassa
Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Design Cynthia De La Rosa
Lighting Design Simisola Majekodunmi
Sound Design Tony Gayle
Video Design Dick Straker
Choreography & Movement Direction Kloé Dean
Casting Julia Horan
General Management
Lead Producers
Chase This Productions

Plan Your Visit

Dates & Times

Running 18 March – 25 April 2026
Performance Times Mon–Tue 7:30pm
Wed 1:30pm & 7:30pm
Thu 7pm & 7:30pm
Fri 7:30pm
Sat 2:30pm
Runtime Approximately 90 minutes, no interval
Age Recommendation 14++

The Venue

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre King Street, London, W6 0QL
Nearest Tube Hammersmith (District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City)
Buses 27, 110, 190, 218, 267, 306, H91

Access Performances

We're committed to making theatre accessible to everyone.

BSL Interpreted 7 April 2026
Chilled Performance 8 April 2026
Audio Described 14 April 2026
Captioned 16 April 2026
BSL Audio Described Captioned Chilled