Created and performed by Apphia Campbell

Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live.

Black is the Color of my Voice

Created and performed by Apphia Campbell

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 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.

Black Is The Color Of My Voice is now touring the UK and Australia in 2024 after sell-out seasons in Adelaide, Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and London's West End. Accolades include a Pick of the Week award at Adelaide Fringe when the show premiered there in 2023 and again in 2024, when it also won the overall Best Theatre & Physical Theatre Award.

Recommended for ages 12+
 



 

Tour Dates

26 - 30 Mar
Seymour Centre
Sydney, Australia
24 - 25 Apr
Leeds Playhouse
26 - 27 Apr
HOME
Manchester
11 - 15 Jun
Theatre Royal Stratford East
London

BIOGRAPHIES

Written and performed by

Apphia Campbell

Apphia Campbell is originally from United States and graduated from Florida International University with a BFA in theatre performance. She was the IASH playwrighting fellow for 2021. Apphia wrote Black Is The Color Of My Voice in 2013. In 2017 her  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 one of six writers who wrote for the National Theatre of Scotland’s Christmas show Rapunzel

Credits include: The Last Bordello (David Leddy, Director) Woke (Caitlin Skinner, Director), Black Is The Color Of My Voice (Arran Hawkins, Director), The Color Purple (James Harkness, Director), Soul Sessions (Cabaret), and No Exit (Michael Beets, Director).

‘Moving portrayal of determination and survival.’
The Times
‘Nothing short of sensational… will make you cheer for her, smile with her and then sting your eyes with tears’
'Hauntingly beautiful'
'profound, yet understated, poetic depth'
'An incredible performance, by turns intense and intimate, and thoroughly recommended'
‘A tour de force performance’
'Apphia Campbell is an exceptional performer... an embodiment of great storytelling'
'Vibrant, poignant and full of soul'
'Masterfully executed, adding power to the gripping narrative of joy and pain’
'a moving musical performance'
‘Captivates the audience throughout.’
‘Absolutely captivating.’
‘It would be difficult to find a better one-woman show than this’
'Breathtaking'
‘A compelling and heartbreaking story, punctuated with bursts of song.’
Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
‘A show that should be seen, with music and messages that deserve to be heard.’

CONTACT

Marketing & Press: marketing@seabright.org
Book the show at your venue: jack@seabright.org
Seabright Live London office: +44 20 7439 1173