2024

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 29th February 2024
Garrick Theatre

Form

1-4 cast Available at the Royal Court Library Beyond-linear narrative Ensemble piece Movement/dance/physical theatre Original full length in English

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.