Black is the Color of My Voice

International hit play, inspired by the life of Nina Simone, written and directed by Apphia Campbell.
Written & Directed by Apphia Campbell Performed by Florence Odumosu Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live. Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. This extensive national tour follows sell-out seasons in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh, and in the West End of London.

February 11, 2022
A One-Woman Show Like No Other

“I wish I knew how – how it feels to be free…”

In this Fringe First award-winning sensation, Black is The Color of My Voice, an ode to a jazz legend and civil rights activist, Nina Simone, I realised I was witnessing a one-woman show like no other.

With moments of haunting surrender, this show briefly captures how an artist can be entirely consumed by their art. Written and Directed by Apphia Campbell (and first premiered in 2013) the story aims to understand the woman behind the music with a new sense of authenticity, and has made waves with sell-out seasons in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and London’s West End.

Following the untimely death of her father, this window into Nina’s story is told through minuets and memories found in an old suitcase as she relays her loves and losses to her father’s framed photo. With a coming of age story of a child-prodigy from a classical pianist to an activist and impassioned jazz singer-songwriter, details of her interpersonal pin points really shone; Her father-daughter relationship being the woven structure encasing the story, her first love in its purity being her musical stimulus, and later, her abusive fiancé embodying how the world began to mis-use her unique power as the voice of the civil rights movement.

One element that had crossed my mind was, how could you begin to imitate a voice as distinctive as Nina’s? – and the answer was of course to embrace the immediate inspiration as well as the authenticity of the performer representing the multi-faceted star. As Florence Odumuso’s syrupy alto tones melted into some iconic favourites, her crisp and unpinned vibrato filling a void only Nina’s could - it was as if a match had been struck. It felt as though Odumuso's presence and blossoming self-assurance made strides as the story progressed.

Though the full-size Playhouse theatre (notably packed for this one-night-only touring show) seemed to engulf the space between scenes at times, I was intrigued to see a typical Fringe-theatre-style staged production take it on, even if that intimacy was sometimes lost in moments.

In her last emotional redemption, Odumudo’s Nina reached a stunning pinnacle as she reached out her hands to feel the touch of her father in spirit and filled the auditorium with her Feeling Good - flying high, I knew how I felt – and so did the standing ovation. This is what music can do.

Catch this show as it flies around the country for a limited run this spring.

Daily Info talked to Apphia Campbell, the writer and director of hit play Black is the Color of my Voice, which explores Nina Simone's life and music.

DI: What was the starting point for writing Black is the Color of My Voice?

AC: I fell in love with Nina Simone as a woman and Nina Simone’s music and I really wanted to understand the woman behind the music. I also wanted people to get to know that woman. I felt like there was always a lot of negative press around her and I just wanted people to understand her.

DI: How did you find the writing journey?

AC: It was challenging trying to figure out how I wanted to tell the story but when I locked in on the ritual that she did in her autobiography I kept thinking ‘what was she doing in there and what would I do if I was in there? I would probably talk about this or think about that.’ So it was a good starting point to try to tell her story in its entirety and authentically because she was in such an isolated environment.

DI: What kind of impact has Nina's music and life story had on you?

AC: I think that Nina Simone has really inspired me to trust my voice, and to try to be wise about how I use my voice and the effect of being consumed by your art. So making sure that there is definitely a balance. I think that being connected emotionally to my art and always keeping that connection like she always did with her music. That’s just one of the many impacts she’s had on my life.

DI: Do you have a message for anyone thinking about booking tickets? In your words, what makes this such a special show?

AC: I think it has something in there for everyone to connect to in terms of story. There is the relationship between Nina and her Father. There is the story of lost love and various other things that people have connected to over the past several years since I first wrote the show. And of course the music is something that is really special and you hear it and feel it hopefully in a different way. So it is sure to be an evening to remember.

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