Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, Black is the Colour of My Voice is a heart-breaking, powerful and beautifully-crafted homage to Simone. Weaving between past and present, this self-written piece by Campbell embodies a picture of a singer – the fictional Mina Bordeaux - as a person, rather than the star she ultimately becomes. Set just after the death of her father, we view Bordeaux mourning his death and at the same time reliving key moments of her own life. Campbell’s strong and moving performance brings Bordeaux alive, changing effortlessly from narrative, to different characters, to snippets of songs. Particularly powerful are the full-length songs, drawing in the audience to mood-setters, I Put a Spell on You, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free and Feeling Good.
The impact of racism is woven slowly into the piece and this build-up really helps to pull together the strands of a life. For what is a very brief look at life - from the fight to learn, to the fight to be recognised as equal, to the forgiveness from her father of the fallout they had in the months before his death, to the return to belief in self that came after - Black is the Colour of My Voice manages to pack in a great deal.
The description of music and how it is so much part of Bordeaux, from the child prodigy, to the Bach-inspired pianist, right through to her Civil Rights Movement-inspired song writing, is a revelation of the personal strength and spirit for which Simone herself became known. Campbell brings her alive in a way that makes the audience want to both hug the heart-broken Bordeaux and march with her on the fight for equality.
Campbell’s writing and performance are impassioned and acutely adept. Engaging, informative, stirring and emotive, you will come away wanting to know much more of Simone’s life – and Campbell’s work. It is also a stark reminder of past and present, and what it means to be seen as equal.
Show Time: 21-22 August @ 15:45
Ticket Prices: £13-£15
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/black-is-the-color-of-my-voice