LYCEUM, SHEFFIELD – 18th OCTOBER 2025
REVIEWED BY ALISON BEAUMONT
5*****
Black is the Color of My Voice is a play inspired by the life of Nina Simone which tells the story of the successful singer and civil rights activist reflecting on her life as she seeks redemption after her father’s death. The play is written by Apphia Campbell and includes some of Simone’s iconic songs and spirituals while exploring the journey from a piano prodigy to a jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.
The entire play is a one-woman performance by Florence Odumosu who plays the character under the pseudonym of Mena Bordeaux. Florence captivated the audience from the very first minute until the very end. To say the production was only 1 hour and 15 minutes long a lot of Nina Simone’s life was captured in this short space of time.
The stage is simple and set in one room, consisting of a table, bed, rug and a suitcase. She shares her memories using keepsakes from the suitcase and talking to her deceased father.
The play was very emotional at times especially when she was portraying the flashback to her life at the hands of her husband Arthur when he assaulted her. This really had me on the verge of tears.
Florence received a well-deserved standing ovation for her performance. I would recommend anyone to go and see this very moving play, lots of the performances on the tour are already sold out which shows its popularity.