Preview: Black Is The Color Of My Voice Comes to Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre

Black Is The Color Of My Voice Comes to Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre

On Tuesday 7 October 2025, the Tyne Theatre & Opera House welcomes an internationally acclaimed play inspired by the life and music of Nina Simone. Black Is The Color Of My Voice, written and directed by Apphia Campbell, has been a global sensation, moving audiences from Shanghai to New York, and winning the Best Theatre Award at Adelaide Fringe 2024.

A Story of Resilience and Music

The play follows a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist as she reflects on her extraordinary journey following the death of her father. From her beginnings as a piano prodigy with a church-bound future to her rise as a renowned jazz vocalist and a powerful voice in the Civil Rights Movement, the show captures the essence of survival, determination, and artistry.

Audiences will also be treated to live performances of many of Nina Simone’s most iconic songs, seamlessly woven into the narrative. Critics have described the piece as:

• “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.” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby

The Performer

Stepping back into the role is Florence Odumosu, whose 2022 debut in the production earned widespread acclaim. Her diverse stage credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story (Lyric and Criterion), Every Leaf A Hallelujah (Regent’s Park), A Christmas Carol (Pitlochry Festival), and Birdwoman (Bush Theatre). Odumosu’s rich, soulful presence promises to bring both the music and the story vividly to life on stage.

The Creator

Playwright and director Apphia Campbell first wrote Black Is The Color Of My Voice in 2013, and it has since become a powerful theatrical tribute to Nina Simone’s legacy. Campbell herself is a celebrated theatre-maker: her work Woke (later retitled Through the Mud) won a Scotsman Fringe First, Amnesty International commendation, and multiple award nominations at the Edinburgh Fringe. She has also written for the BBC and the National Theatre of Scotland, cementing her reputation as a vital voice in contemporary theatre.

Tickets:

📍 Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House, 109–119 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG
📅 Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
🔗 Book now