The Royal Court Theatre and Nimax Theatres have announced casting for the forthcoming West End revival of Ryan Calais Cameron’s acclaimed play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy.
The play will run at the Garrick Theatre from 29 February to 4 May 2024.
For Black Boys… will star six new cast members: Tobi King Bakare as Onyx, Shakeel Haakim as Pitch, Fela Lufadeju as Jet, Albert Magashi as Sable, Mohammed Mansaray as Obsidian and Posi Morakinyo as Midnight.
The brand-new ensemble will once again be directed by Ryan Calais Cameron.
Writer Ryan Calais Cameron was inspired by Ntozake Shange’s seminal work For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf for his critically acclaimed play, which transferred to the West End’s Apollo Theatre in 2023, garnering great reviews from the critics.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy is located on the threshold of joyful fantasy and brutal reality where six men clash and connect in a desperate bid for survival.
The show’s wider creative team includes movement direction and choreography by Theophilus O. Bailey, musical direction and vocal arrangement by John Pfumojena, sound design and composition by Nicola T. Chang, set and costume design by Anna Reid, lighting design by Rory Beaton, associate director Tatenda Shamiso, and casting by Isabella Odoffin.
It was announced in November 2023 that the show would be returning to the West End. 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. Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu directed the show’s original run at the New Diorama Theatre.
This West End production production is produced by the Royal Court Theatre, Nica Burns, Tegan Summer Theatricals, Hackney Empire and Sarah Verghese Productions.
Ryan Calais Cameron said in a statement: “The themes explored in the play are timeless, and I am genuinely thrilled about the prospect of witnessing the new cast infuse their own unique energy and brilliance into the production. Each member brings a wealth of talent and dedication to their roles, and I am confident that their interpretation will breathe new life into the narrative.”
Producer and theatre owner Nica Burns said: “Ryan Calais Cameron’s exceptional, groundbreaking play brought a new audience in to the West End’s Apollo Theatre in 2023, selling out the run. Responding to public demand, we are delighted to be bringing For Black Boys back to the Garrick Theatre with a completely new cast. It is especially fitting that the original commissioner of the play at the New Diorama, the visionary David Byrne, is now producing it again with us as the new Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre. This is a wonderful night in the theatre, so book your tickets quickly!”
Book tickets to For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at the Garrick Theatre in London
More about the cast of For Black Boys….
Tobi King Bakare (Onyx)
Tobi King Bakare trained at RAaW in Southwark, London. Tobi is an actor & writer, most known for Temple S1+2 (Sky One) starring as Jamie, Cursed (Netflix) and I May Destroy You (BBC1). He was recently seen in Marriage (BBC). His most recent stage work includes Fog Everwhere (Camden People’s Theatre) and his own one-man play Before I Go (Peckham Theatre, Camden People’s Theatre). Screen credits include Non Recyclables, Cerebrum.
Shakeel Haakim (Pitch)
Shakeel is currently in his final year at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. This will be his professional debut. Previous theatre includes: A Profoundly Affectionate, Passionate Devotion to Someone (-Noun), Metamorphoses, Light Falls, Romeo & Juliet, The Double Dealer, Antigone, Twelfth Night (RADA), Abandon (Lyric Hammersmith as part of the Ensemble).
Fela Lufadeju (Jet)
Trained at Arts Educational Schools London. Recent stage credits include Standing at the Sky’s Edge (Sheffield Crucible), Guys and Dolls (Royal Exchange), Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East/Abbey Theatre),The Importance of Being Earnest (Birmingham Rep/Leicester Curve) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), Rose (Trafalgar Studios), Drunk (Leicester Curve/Bridewell Theatre), Chicago (Leicester Curve), Hairspray (National Tour), Dirty Dancing (National Tour).
Screen credits include Doctor Who (BBC), Santiago (313 Features), I May Destroy You (BBC, HBO)
Demons, Hipster-White Girl.
Albert Magashi (Sable)
Awarded a scholarship at 14 to train at Italia Conti and was selected to partake in the Young Actors Showcase in partnership with RADA, Guildhall and Theatre Royal Stratford East before graduating. Albert recently appeared on stage in James Graham’s Dear England (National Theatre). Screen credits include Still Up (Apple TV), Sherlock (BBC). Upcoming film Firecracker.
Mohammed Mansaray (Obsidian)
Screen credits include Boarders (BBC), and feature films The Cut, Gassed Up (Amazon). Stage credits include I Love Acting But F**k This Industry (Theatre Peckham), Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), Barbershop Chronicles (UK, US & Canada Tour), The Long Song (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Posi Morakinyo (Midnight)
Trained at Italia Conti Arts Centre. Theatre credits include: Ain’t Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre), Mandela (Young Vic), Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre), Madagascar ((UK & International Tour).
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