For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy at Garrick Theatre

Ryan Calais Cameron’s For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy is an ambitious play with heaps of energy that fuses singing, dancing, rap and traditional storytelling in a mix that hooks from the start. After a bombastic first run at the New Diorama Theatre in 2021, and further runs at the Royal Court and the Apollo Theatre in the following years, it’s now entering its fourth year at the Garrick Theatre in what promises to be another successful production.

There isn’t much of a unifying plot to speak of. Instead, it resembles a form of group therapy where the six actors – Tobi King Bakare, Shakeel Haakim, Fela Lufadeju, Albert Magashi, Mohammed Mansaray and Posi Morakinyo – discuss their life stories. In a range of flashbacks, they explore their personal experiences related to all aspects of Black masculinity, such as their first experiences with girls, conflicts at school, run-ins with the police and their relationships with their parents. The thought of suicide is never far off in their narratives, as the title suggests, although the play also features plenty of comedy, music and other upbeat moments.

It’s simply a well-put-together performance in which everything works together. Cameron, also acting as director, has created a beautifully minimalist set with designer Anna Reid, and Rory Beaton’s lighting works magic to utilise the full-colour spectrum to evoke the right feeling at the right time. Similarly, Nicola T Chang’s sound design is frequently spot-on.

The cast are electric throughout. The largely beautifully written script gives them much to work with and they utilise it to the utmost of their exceptional ability as they lead the enthusiastic audience through an emotional journey that takes them from laughter to despair and ends on a final note of hope – something vital in their narratives that are as diverse in their individuality as they are moving.

As such, For Black Boys deserves all the hype it’s receiving. It’s a tremendous piece that can be enjoyed by all audiences, since at its very core is a fundamental understanding of humanity. A great success, through and through. 

Michael Higgs
Images: Johan Persson

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy is at Garrick Theatre from 29^th February until 4^th May 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.