Review: For Black Boys… at the Apollo Theatre in London

Don’t expect a morbidly depressing simulation, akin to Netflix’s graphic 13 Reasons Why.

Yes, the subject matter is bleak, it’s heart-breaking, but this concatenation of conversations, dances, playful camaraderie, and songs is also strangely uplifting.

Richmond and Twickenham Times: For Black Boys… is playing at The Apollo Theatre for a limited 6 week run until May 7 2023. (Ali Wright)For Black Boys… is playing at The Apollo Theatre for a limited 6 week run until May 7 2023. (Ali Wright) (Image: Ali Wright-88)

At times it’s hilarious. It’s the celebratory relief of life felt after you’ve pulled yourself back from the brink of death.

Six black men sit in group therapy together. Each has a story to tell, and their expertly delivered character monologues form the core narrative trajectory of this play.

As a word, monologue is almost as off-putting as the word suicide, so again, please ignore.

Through song, movement, and speech they traverse the subject matter of growing up as black men and everything in between: from romance, fear, racism, isolation, sex, prejudice, to desire in all its forms.

Writer Ryan Calais Cameron’s storytelling and direction is so sophisticated, the language so vivid, and the cast so exquisitely expressive, that despite an empty stage the space feels full to the brim with action and detail in every scene.

Only six bodies on stage but it can feel like six hundred when the pace is increased.

Accolades are due to the sensitive choreography and movement direction, which observes the objects of the dancers without objectifying them.

Richmond and Twickenham Times: The Olivier nominated play has transferred to the West End after sold-out runs ( Ali Wright)The Olivier nominated play has transferred to the West End after sold-out runs ( Ali Wright) (Image: Ali Wright)

Ensemble dance scenes are truly beautiful and dignified – a pleasure to watch – and this elegance invades every interaction even beyond the straight dance scenes.

Developed over the course of a decade For Black Boys… is the culmination of playwright Ryan Calais Cameron’s own life experience, and countless interviews with black men from different backgrounds.

Inspired by Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf this playful marriage of choreography, poetry, and friendly ribbing reunites the original cast from the New Diorama production (who collectively won The Stage Debut Award).

For Black Boys… is playing at The Apollo Theatre for a limited 6 week run until May 7 2023.

Tickets are priced from £15 and can be purchased from the Apollo Theatre website.

Playwright and Director: Ryan Calais Cameron

Original Director: Tristan Fynn-Aiden

Movement Director: Theophilus O.Bailey

Musical Director: John Pfumojena

Designer – Anna Reid

Lighting Designer: Rory Beaton

Sound Designer – Nicola T Chang 

Richmond and Twickenham Times | Theatre