Deep Azure is the UK premiere of Chadwick Boseman’s lyrical stage drama, presented in the intimate, candlelit surroundings of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe. Best known around the world for his celebrated film performances, Boseman began his artistic career as a playwright, and this powerful, rarely-seen work reveals a very different side of his creative voice. Deep Azure blends hip-hop rhythm, spoken word, poetic language and emotionally charged drama to explore love, loss and the struggle for justice when a life is cut short.
The story follows Azure, a young woman whose fiancé, Deep, has been killed by the police. Left devastated, she is pulled into a journey through grief, memory and painful self-examination as she tries to make sense of what happened. Azure must face her own guilt and confusion while navigating the expectations of those around her. Her friends Roshad and Tone, each coping with the tragedy in their own way, offer two contrasting views of loyalty, masculinity and resilience within a community already burdened by systemic injustice. Although inspired by a real case in the United States, the emotional core of the play speaks universally to the impact of violence on individuals and the communities that surround them.
Formally, Deep Azure is unlike traditional drama. The narrative shifts between the real world and a spiritual or dreamlike dimension where a chorus known as the “Heavenly MCs of Street Knowledge” observe and respond to the story. They challenge the characters, heighten the tension and provide commentary that echoes both ancient theatre and contemporary hip-hop culture. Their presence gives the play a unique rhythm and urgency, and their interventions help reveal the deeper emotional forces driving Azure’s grief and determination.
The production is directed by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, making his debut on the Globe’s stages. His approach emphasises physical movement, energy and musicality, drawing out the rhythmic qualities of Boseman’s writing. Music plays a central role, with a score that blends atmospheric sound, vocal layering and hip-hop influences to underscore the shifts between inner emotion and outward action. Choreography and movement work help express the emotional states of the characters, adding another layer of intensity within the intimate, lantern-lit playhouse setting.
Despite its American origins, the themes of Deep Azure resonate strongly with British audiences. The play’s exploration of grief, racial injustice and the search for accountability mirrors conversations taking place across the UK around community safety, policing and lived experience. The closeness of the performance space heightens this connection, creating a powerful, immersive encounter with the story and its characters.
Audiences can expect an emotionally direct and stylistically rich experience. The production addresses complex issues with honesty and sensitivity, without losing sight of the love story at its heart. Deep Azure stands as a landmark addition to the 2026 theatre season, offering an important, resonant perspective from one of the most significant Black artists of his generation.
More information available via the venue’s box office.
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