Rehearsal Images Released for JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Jaja's is a bustling braiding salon in Harlem, New York, run by a lively, cheerful team of West African expert stylists, immigrants who've brought with them generations of braiding traditions. The play follows this group of women over the course of one hot summer day, filled with laughter, shared secrets, angry customers, betrayals - and above all, a collection of dreams that increasingly pit them against the city they love and call home.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding reunites Writer Jocelyn Bioh (The Ladykillers Love Story; Nollywood Dreams) and Director Monique Touko (Wedding Band; Marie and Rosetta) - the team behind the smash hit School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. The cast includes Bola Akeju (School Girls) as Ndidi, Renee Bailey (Call the Midwife) as Vanessa/Sheila/Radia, babirye bukilwa (Dreaming Whilst Black) as Aminata, Zainab Jah (Boesman and Lena) as Jaja, Demmy Ladipo (Barber Shop Chronicles) as James/Franklin/Olu/Eric, Dani Moseley (Dreaming Whilst Black) as Michelle/Chrissy/Laniece, Sewa Zamba in their professional stage debut as Marie, Jadesola Odunjo (School Girls) as Miriam, Dolapo Oni (Iya-Ile) as Bea and Karene Peter (Rye Lane) as Jennifer.

The show first premiered on Broadway in 2023, was extended twice during its limited season, and concluded with a US tour at the end of 2024. It has won won two Tony Awards and was nominated for six and received eight nominations that year across the Drama Desk Awards, Drama League Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards.

Writer Jocelyn Bioh said, "I'm thrilled to be working with much of the same creative team and I hope to bring more laughter, joy and connection to UK audiences again. I can't wait to welcome them into the shop!"

Jaja's African Hair Braiding Tickets