Play inspired by singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone returns to Newbury

Two years ago Newbury gave a standing ovation to a power play inspired by the life of Nina Simone

The moving portrayal of determination and survival, Black is The Color of My Voice returns to the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, October 9 after a successful run at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

This breathtaking show features many of Simone’s most iconic songs performed live.

Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful jazz 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.

The show has played nationally and internationally to standing ovations from Shanghai and New York to Edinburgh and the West End of London. It recently toured Australia and won the Best Theatre Award at Adelaide Fringe 2024.

Apphia Campbell is originally from the US and graduated from Florida International University with a BFA in theatre performance. She wrote Black is The Color of My Voice in 2013. In 2017 her new show with Meredith Yarbrough, Woke, was presented as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase, where it won a Scotsman Fringe First, a Highly Commended from Amnesty International Award, and was shortlisted for The Filipa Bragança Award and Scottish Art Club Theatre Award.

In 2019, she made her West End debut with Black Is The Color Of My Voice at Trafalgar Studios and had a London premiere of Woke at Battersea Arts Centre. Her first commission from the BBC for a children’s story, called Zachary The Zebroid aired in 2020 and she also wrote Birdie’s Dilemma for Scenes for Survival (BBC in collaboration with NTS Scotland). She was also one of six writers who wrote for the National Theatre of Scotland’s Christmas show Rapunzel.

Black is The Color of My Voice starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £26.25. Age guide 12+. To book tickets or for more information please visit www.cornexchangenew.com or call 01635 522733.

Presented by James Seabright, who brought productions such as, Buffy: Revamped and I Wish My Life We Like A Musical to the Corn Exchange Newbury in recent months

Click here https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/lifestyle/standing-ovation-for-moving-play-inspired-by-nina-simone-9274042/ to read our review of the performance in 2022.