Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has revealed the full cast and creative team for the U.K. premiere of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, the Tony Award–winning comedy written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Monique Touko. The production will run from March 18 through April 25.
Set inside a vibrant Harlem hair braiding salon, the play unfolds over the course of a single sweltering summer day. Centering West African immigrant women who run the shop, the story captures the rhythm of daily life behind the braiding chairs—where laughter, conflict, ambition, and community collide as clients come and go.
The London production reunites Bioh and Touko following their acclaimed collaboration on School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, which previously played at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in 2023.
Leading the ensemble are Bola Akeju as Ndidi, Zainab Jah as Jaja, and Renee Bailey in multiple roles including Vanessa, Sheila, and Radia. The cast also includes babirye bukilwa as Aminata, Demmy Ladipo in several roles, Dani Moseley portraying Michelle, Chrissy, and Laniece, Jadesola Odunjo as Miriam, Dolapo Oni as Bea, and Karene Peter as Jennifer. Sewa Zamba makes their professional stage debut as Marie.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding originally premiered on Broadway during Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2023–2024 season, where it quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about productions of the year. Its limited run was extended multiple times, earning two Tony Awards and additional nominations across the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards before launching a U.S. tour in late 2024.
The creative team for the U.K. production includes set design by Paul Wills, wigs, hair, and makeup design by Cynthia De La Rosa, costume design by Jessica Cabassa, lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, sound design by Tony Gayle, video design by Dick Straker, and movement direction by Kloé Dean. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG, with Xanthus serving as associate director and Gràinne Flynn as assistant director.
The production is a co-production between Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Madison Wells Live, Chase This Productions, and Joshua Berg Creative.