Wriiten and 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.

Black is the Color of my Voice

Wriiten and 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 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 touring the UK in 2025 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 Award.

Recommended for ages 12+


 

Tour Dates

Tue 7 Oct
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Newcastle
Ended
Fri 10 Oct
Macready Theatre
Rugby
Sat 11 Oct
The Dukes, Lancaster
Mon 13 Oct
Theatre Royal
Wakefield
15 & 16 Oct
The Rep
Birmingham
17 & 18 Oct
Crucible Theatre
Sheffield
23 - 25 Oct
The Lowry
Salford
29 Oct - 2 Nov
OSO Arts Centre
Barnes
13 - 14 Jan 2026
Oxford Playhouse

BIOGRAPHIES

Written and directed 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).

Performed by

Florence Odumosu

Florence’s theatre credits include: Fat Ham (Swan, Stratford-Upon-Avon), 2:22 A Ghost Story (Lyric and Criterion), Every Leaf  A Hallelujah (Regent’s Park), Black Is The Color Of My Voice (UK Tour and King’s Head), Shit Life Crisis (UK tour), Christmas Dinner (Royal Lyceum), A Christmas Carol (Pitlochry Festival), Into The Woods (Cockpit), Birdwoman (Bush), Intelligent (Arcola) and Eight Percent (503). Florence’s film and television credits include ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (Disney) and ‘Malice’ (Amazon).

‘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'
'An incredible performance, by turns intense and intimate, and thoroughly recommended'
'Powerful and timely... utterly mesmerising'
'Vibrant, poignant and full of soul'
‘A tour de force performance’
'profound, yet understated, poetic depth'
'Masterfully executed, adding power to the gripping narrative of joy and pain’
'a moving musical performance'
'Fantastic'
‘Captivates the audience throughout.’
‘It would be difficult to find a better one-woman show than this’
"Electrifying"
The Reviews Hub
'Breathtaking'
‘A compelling and heartbreaking story, punctuated with bursts of song.’
Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
'Performed with tenderness, strength and absolute mastery'
'Passionate and inspiring'
‘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: office@seabright.org
Seabright Live London office: +44 20 7439 1173