Inspired by the life and music of Nina Simone, Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed Black Is The Color Of My Voice comes to Northern Stage for two performances during Black History Month.
Combining theatre with live music, the play follows a successful singer and civil rights activist reflecting on the journey that took her from a childhood as a gifted pianist with ambitions in classical music to becoming a celebrated performer and a voice within the American Civil Rights Movement.
Although inspired by Simone rather than presented as a conventional biography, the production draws upon many of the themes that defined her extraordinary life: music, identity, racism, faith, political awakening and the personal cost that can accompany speaking out.
Songs closely associated with Simone are performed live as part of the production, allowing music and drama to work together rather than treating her career simply as historical background.
That makes the production particularly well suited to Black History Month.
Nina Simone occupies an important place in twentieth-century Black cultural history because her artistry and activism became increasingly intertwined. Her music demonstrated how performance could be beautiful, challenging and politically engaged at the same time.
Campbell’s production has travelled extensively, including performances in the UK, Australia, Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and London’s West End, and won Best Theatre at Adelaide Fringe in 2024.
For Newcastle audiences, this is an opportunity to encounter that story through an intimate piece of live theatre rather than a conventional concert or historical lecture.
With its combination of storytelling, music and reflection on the Civil Rights Movement, Black Is The Color Of My Voice offers one of the strongest theatre choices in the North East during Black History Month 2026.
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