Deep Azure – Sam Wanamaker Theatre, London

Writer: Chadwick Boseman

Director: Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu

Deep Azure is a modern tragedy of Shakespearean proportion, both in depth of emotion and lyrical prowess. Deep (Jayden Elijah) is a bright, young, black man shot by police. What follows is a grinding coming-to-terms by his fiancée, Azure, and his friends Tone (Elijah Cook) and Roshad. Amongst the grief lies the ever-present question when an injustice this large is committed, is protest enough or is vengeance required? It is a sad indictment of our culture that a play written two decades ago has lost not an ounce of relevancy.

Roshad, as the voice for vengeance, is portrayed with astonishing range by Justice Ritchie, who forcefully embodies the power of rage just as holistically as he does the glorious levity of Roshad’s humorous interruptions. He is amiably aided to do so by wonderful work from Aminita Francis and Imani Yahshua, who provide the main force between the script’s lighter notes. As Azure, Selina Jones bravely portrays the deepest depths of grief with assurance. Moments where any given performance falters in commitment are very rare.

Chadwick Boseman’s script is the star of the show. Peppered with intricate wordplay, the verse shines brightly, and even when individual lines incite congratulatory snaps from the audience, they never divert attention from the emotional meaning of the words. It is a strong plot, too, although one interlude in particular serves to distract too long from the force of the tale. In true Shakespearean spirit, the fools linger too long in their scenes.

To master and contain Boseman’s overflowing verse is not an easy feat and not only does Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu’s direction manage it,  he animates vivacity into a text that could easily fly over the audience’s heads. Impassioned life is further breathed into the performance by Ysanne Tidd’s costumes which is some of the most varied and joyful work that can be achieved. Paul Wills also intelligently and creatively covers the stage liberally in spherical mirrors to make the most of the candlelit theatre.

Reviving the late Chadwick Boseman’s work, written prior to his global celebrity, to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse could be seen as an unearned leap into the echelons of great playwrights. Instead, this production of Deep Azure does immense honour to a script that feels more at home in Shakespeare’s Globe than anything else written since the bard’s death. A true achievement that must be seen by any theatre lover.

Runs until 11 April 2026