In a generation when men are told to ‘man up’ Ryan Calais Cameron’s For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy is a breath of fresh air. Inspired by Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Cameron’s idea came to life after the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin, which sparked the Black Lives Matter movement. This piece was a passion project for Cameron, taking over a decade to conceive and you can really see his passion and love in each scene, character and spoken word.

For Black Boys is a difficult, but important watch tackling tough subjects like sexual assault, family trauma and Insecurities. Having the 6 characters openly discuss and display their inner struggles and thoughts for a sold out audience. But Cameron cleverly interweaves humour and music into hard hitting scenes to ease the tension when the subject matter becomes too hard, but never taking away the severity of the spoken dialogue.

Each actor is given a moment to express and authentically portray their characters inner monologues without overshadowing each other. The multi talented cast, Tobi King Bakare, Shakeel Haakim, Fela Lufadeju, Albert Magashi, Mohammed Mansaray and Posi Morakinyo are impeccably brave in their honest delivery of such raw dialogue which is laid bare within a minimalistic set designed by Anna Reid; which keeps the focus on open discussion they’re having with one another. Each scene and time (period) change is clearly shown through the incredible diverse physicality the actors adopt, being transported to a school playground, churches, parties and vastly different homes in which the boys were raised in. Rory Beaton’s simple yet effective lighting also indicates changes in scenes and even highlighting the changes in tone and mood of each character.

Cameron indepth deconstruction of stereotypes given black men and boys is a key focal point throughout the play. Sadly shown during a monologue Sable gives about the dangers of black male stereotypes “ What do you see when you see me? At what age were you when you found out you were scary?”. As well as showing the differences in each upbringings. Both showing how absent fathers (For different reasons) still affect the personal growth and development of sons, but doesn’t have to define them.

The text is crucial, blending rapping and poetry seamlessly giving the words a lyrical deliverance. But when words become too much Theophilus O Bailey’s stunning choreography naturally shows us how the emotions of each characters is expressed physically.

For the Black boys… strongly influenced the audience; their response and discussions about the subject matter highlighted the need and importance of having open discussions and a place where everyone can go. Cameron and Shanges texts both need to be added to the school curriculum so we can be educated more about the voices of people who are vulnerable and often overlooked.

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy plays at Garrick Theatre until 4 May.

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