For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy
Written by Ryan Calais Cameron
Play Details
Context
Place Premiered
New Diorama Theatre
Artistic Director
Vicky Featherstone
Co-production with New Diorama Theatre & Nouveau Riche
Dates Performed
Thursday 31st March 2022
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Saturday 25th March 2023
Apollo Theatre
Play Details
Synopsis
Obsidian, Sable, Pitch, Onyx, Midnight, and Jet are young Black men navigating the complexities of their identities, masculinity, and the pressures of being Black in a society that often devalues and dehumanizes them. The play fearlessly delves into themes of family, fatherhood, love, mental health, abuse, trauma, and the existential burdens of Blackness. Through poetic dialogues, the characters share raw and vulnerable experiences, from grappling with toxic masculinity and absent fathers, to confronting racism, violence, and suicidal ideation. They find solace in their brotherhood, questioning societal norms, and seeking to redefine what it means to be a Black man beyond the constrictive, monolithic stereotypes imposed upon them.
Ultimately, the play is a rallying cry for Black boys to embrace their full humanity, celebrate their joy and resilience, and choose life amidst the weight of their “hue” – a poetic metaphor for the burdens of anti-Blackness. It is a powerful exploration of mental health, healing, self-love, and the multidimensional experiences of Black masculinity.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Mark Akintimehin
Cast
Emmanuel Akwafo
Cast
Nnabiko Ejimofor
Cast
Darragh Hand
Cast
Aruna Jalloh
Cast
Kaine Lawrence
Designer
Anna Reid
Lighting Designer
Rory Beaton
Sound Design and Additional Music
Nicola T. Chang
Associate Sound Designer
Jahmiko Marshall
Production Dramatherapist/Therapeutic Associate
Wabriya King
Assistant Director