Having already received breathtaking reviews during it’s inaugural tour, this emotive production combines potent biography and an incredible live band to unfold a personal account that touches heavily on black experience and politics, via a soul-searing backdrop of Nina Simone stories and songs. Created by and starring Olivier-Award nominated actress Josette Bushell-Mingo, the play entwines her own private stories of struggle and hope, with those of the infamous singer, to create a startling tribute to Nina Simone’s remarkable career. The Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s is touched upon in stark relief for the ever-present needs for black and ethnic minorities rights and raises the question, ‘How did we come to a time when we have to say Black Lives Matter?’. Through Nina Simone’s storytelling songs and the merging of these two incredible women’s lives, the fire for revolution is reclaimed, reformed and urgently reignited. Powerful, poignant and unafraid to confront uncomfortable topics, this is an extremely important portrayal of two strong black female voices demanding to be heard.

Tue 6 Mar – Sat 10 Mar, The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham, B12EP. 7.45pm, £15.
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk