Jaja's African Hair Braiding

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About the Show

A Harlem hair salon buzzes with secrets, clashes, and dreams on one summer’s day.

Set in a lively Harlem braiding salon, the play unfolds over one sweltering summer’s day. Customers and stylists navigate demanding requests, sharp exchanges, hidden truths, and bursts of laughter, all within the tight quarters of the shop. Beneath the bustle, each woman harbors her own ambitions, increasingly at odds with the realities of the city around them.

The production is written by Jocelyn Bioh, the Tony Award-winning playwright of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, and directed by Monique Touko, who previously collaborated with Bioh on that acclaimed production. The creative team also includes set designer Paul Wills, wigs, hair and make-up designer Cynthia De La Rosa, lighting designer Simisola Majekodunmi, and sound designer Tony Gayle.

A co-production between Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Madison Wells Live, and Chase This Productions, the play marks its UK premiere as part of the Lyric’s 2026 Season, supported by Mark & Sarah Crosbie.

Critic Reviews (6)

"Our world at large may be unravelling, but this play’s intricate weave, for the most part, is just right."
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"Crowd-pleasing energy, charisma and expert comic timing"
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"Jaja’s African Hair Braiding...offers an exuberant glimpse of West African immigrants building new lives."
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"a high-energy, hammy comedy, where the equilibrium inside the salon is upset and reset each time a new presence bursts through its doors."
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"The cast hit just the right energy levels, vibrant without being anarchic, effortlessly funny but leaving space for the sadness in their lives"
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"Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is a celebration of sisterhood, community, and Black culture, and is a beautiful reminder of the safe space salons provide."
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