Back by overwhelming demand, Apphia Campbell’s Black is the Color of My Voice returns to the Birmingham Rep for two special performances during Black History Month 2025. Poignant, powerful and deeply personal, this solo show has touched audiences around the world — from Shanghai to New York, London to Edinburgh — with its emotionally charged tribute to one of the greatest musical legends of the 20th century.
Inspired by the life and legacy of Nina Simone, Black is the Color of My Voice is a one-woman play that channels the spirit, struggle, and strength of a singer whose art became a weapon for justice. Written and performed by Apphia Campbell, the piece doesn’t present a biopic in the traditional sense. Instead, it creates a fictionalised narrative rooted in truth — a portrait of a woman at the height of her fame, wrestling with grief, memory, and a turbulent social landscape.
The story centres on Mena Bordeaux, a successful jazz singer and activist, who isolates herself in a hotel room following the sudden death of her father — the man who introduced her to music and steered her towards a life of devotion and discipline. Over the course of the play, Mena unravels her past through memories, confessions, and music, reliving her rise from a child prodigy trained for the church to a globally renowned musician entangled in the fight for racial equality.
Campbell’s performance is nothing short of electrifying. Her voice, rich and soulful, carries the pain and passion of Simone’s greatest hits — including Feeling Good, Sinnerman, I Put a Spell on You, and Four Women — all performed live on stage. The result is a show that blurs the line between theatre and concert, between character and icon, and between personal grief and political protest.
But this is more than just a tribute to Nina Simone. It is a meditation on the cost of visibility. It’s a look at what it means to carry the weight of a movement, to use art as resistance, and to try to remain whole in the face of relentless expectations. Through Mena’s story, Campbell explores themes of faith, identity, trauma, and transformation — making this production as relevant today as it was when it first premiered in 2013.
“Moving portrayal of determination and survival” – ★★★★ The Times
“Nothing short of sensational” – ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
“One of the most powerful voices of the Fringe” – The Independent
Audiences have been mesmerised by the sheer intimacy of the production. With a bare stage, subtle lighting, and the raw energy of Campbell’s voice, the play strips away artifice and forces the audience into direct confrontation with the questions at its core: What do we do with pain? Who gets to be heard? And what happens when the personal becomes political?
Black is the Color of My Voice is especially resonant during Black History Month, as it honours not only the music of Nina Simone, but the movements she inspired and contributed to. In her real life, Simone was a complex and often controversial figure — outspoken, brilliant, and deeply affected by the racism she encountered both in the United States and abroad. Her music became synonymous with protest, and her commitment to civil rights often came at great personal cost. Campbell’s play captures that conflict with elegance and humanity.
The production’s international acclaim is a testament to its universal message. From its beginnings in Shanghai to its standing ovation runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and London’s West End, the show has received glowing reviews and emotional reactions from critics and audiences alike. Whether you come for the music, the storytelling, or the sheer power of the performance, this is theatre that leaves a mark.
Presented for two nights only at the Birmingham Rep, this is an opportunity to witness one of the most celebrated pieces of solo theatre in recent years. For those who missed it during its previous run, or for those eager to experience it again, these performances promise to be a highlight of this year’s Black History Month calendar.
Don’t miss this unforgettable production that brings Nina Simone’s spirit roaring back to life — fierce, brilliant, and unbroken.
Performance Details:
Dates: Wednesday 15 October – Thursday 16 October 2025
Venue: Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EP
Times: Evening performances start at 7.30pm
Tickets: Standard and concession tickets available. Visit Buy Tickets for full pricing and availability.
Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes, no interval
Recommended Age: 12+
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk or follow @TheBirminghamRep on social media.