For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy | |
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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]
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]
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]
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 |
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 |