Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is heading back to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for five weeks, from 28 January to 27 February 2027, less than a year after its UK premiere there. Public booking opens at 10am on Friday 2 October.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding returns to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre on 28 January 2027 and plays until 27 February 2027. Press night is at 7pm on Tuesday 2 February. Lyric Friends and Members can already book. Public booking opens at 10am on Friday 2 October, with tickets from £10.
It is the same team as the first run, which opened on this stage in March 2026. Jocelyn Bioh wrote the play and Monique Touko directs again. The pair previously worked together on School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Casting and the rest of the creative team will be announced later.
The comedy began on Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2023-2024 season, where it was extended twice before going on a US tour. It won two Tony Awards from six nominations.
The whole play takes place over one sweltering summer day in a Harlem braiding salon. A group of West African immigrant braiders take on demanding customers while their own secrets, rivalries and ambitions come to the boil, and the city they have made home seems to push back at every turn.
“Words cannot begin to describe how thrilled I am that Jaja’s African Hair Braiding will be re-opening its shop doors once again at the Lyric Hammersmith!” said Jocelyn Bioh.
Monique Touko said: “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is back by popular demand.” She is also co-directing The Afronauts at the Royal Court this November.
Rachel O’Riordan, the Lyric’s artistic director, said: “The success of this production and the excitement of audiences proved how powerful this story is and we cannot wait to see the spirit of Jaja's world reignited in 2027.”
The production is a co-production between the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Madison Wells Live and Chase This Productions, and is also co-produced by Joshua Berg Creative.
Access performances are all in February: audio-described at 7.30pm on Tuesday 9 February, with a touch tour at 6pm; captioned at 7.30pm on Tuesday 16 February; BSL-interpreted at 7.30pm on Thursday 18 February; and a chilled performance at 2.30pm on Saturday 20 February.
Book Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
