Full casting has been revealed for Ryan Calais Cameron’s powerful play, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy, which makes a return to the West End and will open at Garrick Theatre for a strictly limited nine-week run from February 29th.
The play, which follows the fortunes of six young Black men as they convene for group therapy, will star Posi Morakinyo, Tobi King Bakare, Fela Lufadeju, Mohammed Mansaray, Albert Magashi, and Shakeel Haakim, who makes his professional debut in the production.
The play was originally conceived by Cameron in the wake of Trayvon Martin's 2012 killing and has been developed with mental health groups and young Black men over the past decade. The production opened in 2021 at the New Diorama Theatre before transferring to the Royal Court, followed by a short West End run last year at the Apollo Theatre. The same cast of Emmanuel Akwafo, Mark Akintimehin, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Kaine Lawrence, and Aruna Jalloh performed in all three iterations.
Speaking of the cast announcement, Cameron commented: “The themes explored in the play are timeless, and I am genuinely thrilled about the prospect of witnessing the new cast infuse their unique energy and brilliance into the production. Each member brings a wealth of talent and dedication to their roles, and I am confident that their interpretation will breathe new life into the narrative.”
For Black Boys was nominated for 'Best Supporting Actor' and 'Best New Play' at the Olivier Awards in 2023.
Booking & Theatre Info For The Garrick Theatre
The Garrick Theatre is a medium size West End theatre which has a capacity of 735 seats. Studying the seating plan in detail before purchase is highly recommended as there are numerous support pillars and circle overhangs that restrict the view from many seats. Patrons will also often hear the rattle of the underground trains during productions as tube lines run directly below the theatre.
The best views in the theatre are in the Stalls and Dress Circle section and sitting between Row D and J in the Stalls offers an excellent and unrestricted view. The Dress Circle also offers clear and detailed views of the stage and is a brilliant vantage point although this does tend to be reflected in the ticket price.
The best budget seats for those looking to secure cheap last minute show tickets For Black Boys tickets can be found towards the rear of the Stalls, where seats are regularly discounted due to the many support pillars and overhang from the Dress Circle. Value can also be found in the clear-view seats in the Upper Circle for a cheap alternative.