For Black Boys… is the most essential play on the West End right now – review
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy is now on its second west end run, following a prior stint at the Apollo, and has also played at other high-profile London theatres including The Royal Court last year.
It’s easy to see why it’s so popular – not only is it unlike anything else you’re likely to see on the West End, it also strikes an incredibly delicate balance, managing to be laugh-out-loud funny, uplifting, intelligent and moving at the same time.
It’s also that rarest of creations: a piece of theatre that feels genuinely important. Writer Ryan Calais Cameron created the show by conducting a series of therapy sessions for black men, covering an array of sensitive subjects.
The resulting play explores themes including mental health, masculinity and sexuality – as its title suggest it can get pretty heavy at times, but it’s a beautifully balanced play: it has a knack of hitting you where it hurts, only for a sudden tonal shift resulting in the audience whooping and cheering a few moments later.
