Review: Black is the Color of My Voice at Crewe Lyceum Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] Last night was a truly unique show at Crewe Lyceum Theatre featuring one actor—Nicholle Cherrie—playing a version of Nina Simone named Mina Bordeaux.

The play loosely tells the story of Nina’s humble beginnings, young passion, and unbelievable talent for music. Told through snippets of stories, much like tales from an old aunt’s telling of times gone by, moments treasured, missed, and regretted, blended with Nina Simone’s beautiful and iconic music.

What I thought of the play – Black is the Color of My Voice by Apphia Campbell

Last night was a memorable evening. It was my first time at Crewe Lyceum, and wow, what a theatre. It’s incredibly beautiful and distinctively its old interior, with red-lined seating and old boxes where you can imagine the rich folk of the early 1900s taking their seats. It is truly a place of wonder. Not only was the venue a beautiful setting for last night’s performance, but the play was also one to remember.

As you are taken through the apparent life of Mini Bordeaux, whose life translates to that of Nina Simone, you see her struggles to become one of the most significant musicians in history. She talks of past loves through the reading of love letters, of past conflict with her parents, the racism she experienced throughout her life, and how all this is what ultimately made her who she was.

Nicholle Cherrie is the star of the show and creates the believable role of Mina Bordeaux, who wants to change the world for her people! The play manages to incorporate her passion for music, the struggle of family, the recalling of abuse, the injustice of racism, the importance of activism and finally, a reflection of a life lived and the eventual finding of comfort and peace. With all this emotion packed into one play and then incorporated with music, there’s no doubt as to how its creator, Apphia Campbell, has succeeded in winning so many awards on its behalf.

Not only is Cherrie a talented actor, but she also has a phenomenal voice and throughout the play, snippets of music are seamlessly blended into the storytelling. I have always loved Nina Simone’s voice and many of her songs, but one thing that surprised me last night was the songs I already knew of but hadn’t realised were hers! I particularly loved hearing Cherrie sing See-Line Woman in the way it was meant by Nina Simone. The last time I heard it was a version by Feist (which I love and happens to be one of my favourite songs). The song originates as an African-American folk song believed to have been sung in playgrounds by children – although its origins are thought to be a little darker and are said to tell the story of the prostitutes that lined (see-line) the ports of New Orleans or Charleston.

I think the play managed to suggestively incorporate the significant moments of the life of Nina Simone in a way that carefully expressed the feelings she may have had and how, all through her strife, she did, in the end, end up at peace with herself and maybe some of the decisions she ultimately made. We not only felt it through its narrative but also through the thoughtfully chosen songs that Cherrie sang throughout the 75-minute performance. At the end (which seemed to come too soon), she was met with a well-deserved standing ovation, which undoubtedly showed what a total triumph the play was.

Cast

Nicholle Cherrie graduated from ArtsEd in 2017. Her theatre credits include Soon (Eclipse), Mansfield Park
(Watermill), Splintered (Soho), Black Love (Kiln), 15 Heroines (Jermyn Street), Girl From The North Country
(Gielgud/Toronto), Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe), Leave Taking (Bush), Mamma Mia (Cyprus),
and Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park). Her television credits include Doctors (BBC).

Creatives

Written by Apphia Campbell
Company Stage Manager – Scott McMullin & Kai Peacock
Original Director – Arran Hawkins
Lighting Design – Clancy Flynn
Original Sound Designer – Joseph Degnan

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £28.  Age restriction: 12+ – references to violence and racism.

How do I book tickets to watch Black is the Color of my Voice?

Tickets can be booked by calling the box office at 0343 310 0050 or by visiting Crewe Lyceum’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will started its tour in Edinburg in August and will make its way to Crewe Lyceum Theatre on  its tour be opening on Wednesday, 16 October 2024 at 7.30pm. The show has a run time of 70 minutes with no interval.

Where is Crewe Lyceum Theatre?

About Crewe Lyceum 

The Crewe Lyceum is Cheshire’s historic Edwardian theatre and a Trafalgar Entertainment venue. Established in 1911, the theatre has been thrilling and delighting audiences with the best of drama, comedy, variety and more for over a century – and counting.

Review by: Lex Ward

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Photo credit: Crewe Lyceum Theatre

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.