Black Is The Color Of My Voice at Leeds Playhouse
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Following sell-out seasons in Adelaide, Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and the West End, this powerful one-woman performance – inspired by the life and music of Nina Simone – is set to play to Northern audiences this spring. Black is the Color of My Voice comes up North to play at Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester this April.
Written and performed by Apphia Campbell, this acclaimed play follows the story of Mina Bordeaux, a successful jazz singer and influential civil rights activist who seeks redemption after her father’s untimely death. Bordeaux reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy, destined for a life in service to the church, to a celebrated vocalist at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement.
Intelligent and powerful, Black Is The Color Of My Voice introduces the audience to a fictional character as a way of presenting Nina Simone’s life on stage. The result is a moving portrayal and a performance that moves beyond mere impersonation, though still capturing the essence of ‘The High Priestess of Soul’.
Tackling themes of racial injustice, despair and violence, Apphia Campbell keeps the audience gripped throughout the show’s 1 hour 15 minutes running time. Expect utterly charming and spirited characterisation punctuated by a carefully curated selection of Simone’s greatest hits, many performed in spine-tingling acapella.
