Acclaimed playFor Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron is returning to London’s West End in 2024.
The show will play the Garrick Theatre in London for 9 weeks, from 29 February to 4 May 2024.
The show had transferred from a sold-out run at the Royal Court last year, and was originally a hit at the New Diorama Theatre in London in association with Nouveau Riche. It then played the West End’s Apollo Theatre from March to May 2023.
Inspired by Ntozake Shange’s seminal work For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy sees six men clash and connect in a desperate bid for survival as they meet for group therapy, and let their hearts – and imaginations – run wild.
The play was originally conceived by Ryan Calais Cameron in the wake of the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2013 and has been developed over the course of the last decade with young black men and mental health groups. Over 100 men auditioned for the production in 2021 .
Directed by Ryan Calais Cameron, the original Stage Debut Award-winning cast returned for the show earlier this year: Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh and Kaine Lawrence. Casting for the Garrick run is to be announced.
The show’s set and costume design is by Anna Reid, with lighting design by Rory Beaton, additional music and sound design by Nicola T Chang, movement direction by Theophilus O. Bailey and musical direction by John Pfumojena. Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu directed the show’s original run at New Diorama Theatre.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy was originally commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by Boundless Theatre. The West End production is presented by the Royal Court Theatre, Nica Burns, New Diorama Theatre and Nouveau Riche. Other producers include Hackney Empire, Jane Featherstone, Elisabeth Murdoch and Sarah Verghese.
Ryan Calais Cameron, playwright and Nouveau Riche Artistic Director, said in a statement: “I am thrilled by the prospect of For Black Boys… gracing the stage once more, delivering a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that has deeply resonated with both audiences and critics. It is truly humbling to witness how this production has also propelled the careers of the first remarkable actors who breathed life into these characters. Observing their excellence on renowned stages and in high-profile projects is a source of immense pride. The opportunity to offer the roles to a new generation of actors brings profound joy. It is a testament to the ongoing dialogue sparked by For Black Boys… and a commitment to providing emerging talents with the chance to shine.”
Producer Nica Burns said: “For Black Boys… is the most extraordinary piece of theatre balancing pain and heartbreak with joy and laughter. Life! Discovered by the critics, enthusiastically embraced by the audiences, together they have roller-coasted it to this fourth production and we are delighted to give everyone another chance to join the conversation. Strictly limited season!”
Book tickets to For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at the Apollo Theatre in London
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