“Nina Simone is a great choice for our times, Yovich’s voice, and the Sydney Festival.”
Julia Newbould
4 Sparkly Stars
Venue : Sydney Theatre Company Wharf 1
Sydney Festival
Dates: Until January 25
Sydney Festival is a great artistic mix of experimental theatre and sure-fire hits. Ursula Yovich singing Nina Simone fits comfortably into the latter. Not wanting to emulate the voice, her show is more of a tribute to the singer and the songs, and the power of the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone.
The stage at the Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Theatre has been configured into a nightclub with Parisian-style cocktail tables and chairs, in front of the tiered seating. Earlier this week, Yovich stepped onto the stage with mates Emma Donovan and Ben Graetz in their respective shows.
Her talent is unquestionable; her voice powerful and full of soul. The song choices provide a show full of meaning, and thoughtful social and political statements. Ursula Yovich is a big voice with a powerful stage presence. Appearing barefoot for the entire show, I could see the music filling her body from her toes. It is an incredible sight. She also has a lot to say, in line with Simone’s political stances – Nina Simone supported causes and spoke out for what she believed in. Yovich explains she first became acquainted with the music of Nina Simone through a Chanel commercial in the 80s which carried the song My Baby Just Cares for Me.
Backed by live band, led by multi-award winning performer Midnight Oil bassist Adam Ventura, the night provides a powerhouse of musical talent. At just over 70 minutes, the show is one strong song after another.
The show opens with Sinnerman, one of Nina Simone’s most famous (and much sampled) songs. It’s a real belter – and as the opener to the act, it sets the mood of what’s to come. The song is a shortened version of Simone’s 10-minute rendition, which Yovich turned into a gospel-like delivery. Sinnerman is incredible in its delivery of a ‘take no prisoners’ approach to religion, and one woman fighting against the bleeding rivers and boiling seas.
Yovich follows it with the incredibly moving Four Women, calling out the four sterotypes of black women and singing about their plight. “My skin is black, My arms are long, My hair is woolly, My back is strong, Strong enough to take the pain, Inflicted again and again…”. Later Yovich sings Strange Fruit, perhaps the most moving in the Simone songbook. The anti-lynching song was first sung by Billie Holiday but later taken on by Simone. Yovich’s version is stirring and moody sung in her deep voice.
One of the show’s strongest numbers is To Be Young, Gifted and Black – this is a real celebratory number which gives hope for the future:
“Oh, but my joy of today
Is that we can all be proud to say,
“To be young, gifted, and Black
Is where it’s at!”
“Is where it’s at!”
“Is where it’s at!!!”
Other numbers from the Nina Simone songbook include Black is The Colour of My True Love’s Hair; Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood; the stunning Ne Me Quitte Pas, and I Loves You Porgy.
I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To be Free is another political soulful ballad sung beautifully.
Nina Simone is a great choice for our times, Yovich’s voice, and the Sydney Festival.
Grab tickets as soon as you can. This is what festivals should be like.
Julia Newbould, Theatre Now
