For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy | |
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![]() West End Promotional Poster | |
Written by | Ryan Calais Cameron |
Date premiered | 12 October 2021 |
Place premiered | New Diorama Theatre |
Original language | English |
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy is a 2021 play by Ryan Calais Cameron, inspired by Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf. The play follows six young Black British men—Jet, Midnight, Obsidian, Onyx, Pitch, and Sable—meeting for group therapy.[1][2]
The show was originally commissioned by New Diorama Theatre and co-commissioned by Boundless Theatre.[3]
Production history
[edit]Off-West End (2021-2022)
[edit]The show opened on 12 October 2021 at New Diorama Theatre in London, running until November.[4] Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu directed the original production.[3] The production transferred to the Royal Court for a limited 5 week run from 31 March 2022 to 7 May 2022.[1][5]
West End (2023-2024)
[edit]The show transferred to the West End for a limited engagement at the Apollo Theatre from 25 March 2023 until 7 May.[3] All six original cast members reprised their roles, and Ryan Calais Cameron directed.[3] In November 2023, it was announced that the production would return to the West End for a nine-week limited engagement. The show started performances from 29 February 2024 at the Garrick Theatre.[6]
Cast
[edit]Character | Off-West End[2][1] | West End | West End Remount[7] |
---|---|---|---|
2021-2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
Jet | Nnabiko Ejimofor | Fela Lufadeju | |
Obsidian | Aruna Jalloh | Mohammed Mansaray | |
Onyx | Mark Akintimehin | Tobi King Bakare | |
Midnight | Kaine Lawrence | Posi Morakinyo | |
Pitch | Emmanuel Akwafo | Shakeel Haakim | |
Sable | Darragh Hand | Albert Magashi |
Awards
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Stage Debut Awards[3] | Best Performer in a Play | Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh, and Kaine Lawrence | Won |
2023 | Laurence Olivier Awards[8] | Best New Play | Nominated | |
Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh, and Kaine Lawrence | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy". Royal Court. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ a b Sierz, Aleks (2022-04-26). "'For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy' at Royal Court". The Theatre Times. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ a b c d e Hall, Margaret (19 January 2023). "Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy to Play West End". Playbill. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy". Boundless Theatre. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ Wood, Alex (28 January 2022). "For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy to transfer to the Royal Court". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- ^ Hall, Margaret (November 22, 2023). "Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy to Return to West End".
- ^ "For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy - Garrick Theatre". Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2023". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 2023-02-28.