I really believe in revivals of Black work': why a director brought back Chadwick Boseman's play Deep Azure

"As Black artists, I really believe in revivals of Black work where they're necessary and needed. It tells Black writers their work deserves to be in these spaces, too. Boseman's lyrical talent, direction and high-level theatre-making made him determined to bring one of his plays back to life, showcasing the full spectrum of the Black experience globally while honouring Boseman's memory and responsibility to the community."

"Little known, however, was that Boseman was also an avid writer and director whose prose and verse depict the Black American experience. His staunch support of Black Lives Matter was clear when, in June that same year, he and more than 300 other Black artists signed a letter demanding the US film industry sever ties with the police, including stopping the use of police officers on sets and at events, and invest more in Black communities."

Chadwick Boseman, known for blockbuster films like Black Panther, was also an accomplished writer and director whose work depicted the Black American experience. Following his death in 2020, director Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu brought Boseman's play Deep Azure to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe in London. The production combines verve, poetry, hip-hop, Jacobean verse, and choreographed movement to tell a compelling story. Fynn-Aiduenu emphasizes the importance of reviving Black theatrical work and ensuring Black writers receive recognition in prestigious theatrical spaces. The play was inspired by the death of Prince Jones, Boseman's friend from Howard University, reflecting Boseman's commitment to exploring the Black experience through his art.

Read at www.theguardian.com