Five-Star Comedy Jaja's African Hair Braiding Brings Harlem's Heart to London
Jocelyn Bioh's comedy Jaja's African Hair Braiding has arrived in the UK with a five-star rating. The play, set in a Harlem salon in 2019, explores friendship, immigration, and the cultural weight of Black hair. Directed by Monique Touko, it opens at London's Lyric Theatre this month. The story unfolds entirely within a single hair salon, a lively hub for West African women. The space, brought to life by Paul Wills' detailed set and Cynthia De La Rosa's wig and make-up designs, becomes a stage for laughter, secrets, and shared struggles. Beyond its humour, the play examines the politics of Black hair and the precarious lives of immigrants—topics that have grown even more urgent since its 2019 debut.
Bioh's work follows in the footsteps of Inua Ellams' *Barber Shop Chronicles*, which premiered in 2017. While Ellams' play moved between barbershops across the African diaspora, *Jaja's African Hair Braiding* stays rooted in one salon, celebrating the intimacy of its relationships. The UK production stars Dolapo Oni and Bola Akeju, among others, under Touko's direction. The timing of the play's UK run—from February 25 to April 25, 2023—coincides with heightened debates around immigration. A 2026 review noted how US policy shifts since 2019 have sharpened the play's relevance, particularly its portrayal of legal insecurity and community resilience.
The production has earned critical acclaim, with audiences praising its warmth, wit, and timely themes. Running at the Lyric Theatre, it offers a vivid snapshot of a community bound by hair, history, and survival. Tickets remain available for its limited season.
