FYI its FBB at the Garrick Theatre

RYAN CALAIS Cameron’s award-winning For Black Boys who Considered Suicide When the Hue gets too Heavy (FBB) kicked off its nine-week run at the Garrick Theatre this month.

Conceived in the wake of the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2013, the production was developed over the course of the last decade with young Black men and mental health groups.

Ryan Calais Cameron, playwright and director – (pic credit Myah Asher Jeffers)

Starring in the iconic roles of Onyx, Pitch, Jet, Sable, Obsidian and Midnight are a powerful new blend of talented actors. Introducing Tobi King Bakare, Shakeel Haakim making his professional debut, Fela Lufadeju, Albert Magashi, Mohammed Mansaray and Posi Morakinyo.

The Voice caught with the new cast members to find out a little more about them.

Q: Why is this an important piece of work from your perspective?

Albert Magashi is 22 from Sudbury and plays Sable: There’s no other show like it. It tackles some heavy topics that need to be told but also celebrates Black Boy joy. I don’t think I’ll ever get an opportunity like this again to play a character I relate to and care about so much. I genuinely think it’s a show that can save people.

Tobi King Bakare born in Ireland, is 25, lives in West London and plays Onyx, he only first experienced theatre at age 15: I think shows like For Black Boys.. are really important because they break down invisible barriers that stop working class people or people from diverse backgrounds from exploring theatre. I also think the story we’re telling – it’s a message of healing, and of joy and empowerment that can really benefit our community. Working on this show, and seeing the show in the past, it’s made me discover things about myself and my community and changed the way I think. And there’s no better way to make change than through art because I’m poetic.

Mohammed Mansaray is 26, lives in Lewisham and plays Obsidian: It is an important piece of work because it showcases the vulnerability and strength of young black men today. People often feel isolated in their hardships, For Black Boys… lays it all out on the table for all to see. They are not alone in their past experiences. And that is an incredibly powerful thing if you ask me.

Shakeel Haakim is 28 from South London, Camberwell and plays Pitch: An opportunity to be seen. It’s an opportunity for another perspective on what I think a lot of people think they already know about a Black boy’s narrative and I think it’s really special that audiences will really be able to see all the shades and all the beauty and all the colours of what makes us, us and really get a clear perspective on all sides of the story.

Fela Lufadeju is 33 from South East London, Brockley and plays Jet: Because it’s important for young black boys to see themselves, to understand that some of our isolated thoughts, others are experiencing them too! Be it grief, sadness, joy or love! We have full agency!!

Posi Morakinyo is 23 from Northampton, and plays Midnight: This play is a form of outreach for people who may not have started the conversation or do not have the words to say what they need to say. If they see the conversation happening before their very eyes, what they take away could be life changing. It was life changing for me.

Q: Three words to describe how you feel about being in the show?
Albert Magashi: Grateful, excited, responsibility
Tobi King Bakare: Excited, charged and ready
Mohammed Mansaray : Grateful, responsibility, perspective
Shakeel Haakim: Thankful, determined, appreciative
Fela Lufadeju: Excited, (a) conduit, full
Posi Morakinyo: Honoured, challenged, expectant

Q: Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
Albert Magashi: Kobe Bryant. I used to play a lot of sports growing up and for me he was the epitome of hard working. He was determined, persistent, everything you would want to admire in an athlete.
Tobi King Bakare: My mum is a big inspiration. She grew up in Nigeria, raised 4 kids by herself and did an amazing job. We’ve been through a lot as a family, growing up a lot things happened and I was in Nigeria for a lot of it, and during that process I always forget: it was hard on me but imagine how crazy it was for her. So every now and then when I realise things are getting hard I remember “Mum went through this but ten times harder in a whole foreign country”, it gives me a new perspective.
Mohammed Mansaray : My family and friends.
Shakeel Haakim: The people around me who keep my feet on the ground and keep me motivated.
Fela Lufadeju: My mum. I do everything for my mum.
Posi Morakinyo: My dad, seeing the obstacles he’s had to overcome but still turn up, not only for himself but for my family on a moment by moment basis. He’s done a fantastic job.

Find out what questions the boys would REALLY like to be asked in our next FBB article this Friday.