Noughts and Crosses: From page to stage

Blackman’s inspiration for the novel stemmed from high-profile cases, including the horrific murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993, as well as her own negative personal experiences, which made her consider the issue of racism. She used her platform to contribute positively to a difficult subject. The success of the novel of the same name in 2001 inspired a further five books in the series. They all explore different ideas but are set within an alternative world that flips the narrative on race. But would Mahfouz be able to take this subject and translate it from the page to the stage with great results?

Set in an alternative, dystopian Britain where slavery had been abolished for some time, but segregation, similar to the Jim Crow Laws, continues to operate to keep the Crosses (dark-skinned people) controlling the Noughts (lighter-skinned people). The plot fuses stark representations of segregation, insurrection and political violence that have huge relevance to today’s society.

Condensing this popular full-length novel into 140 minutes respectively comes with an expectation. The result is a breathtaking production that will make you immediately want to read the best-selling novel (if you have not already, of course).

Against this bleak backdrop are two teenagers who attempt to continue their secret childhood friendship and fall in love, despite the dangers that surround them. Sephy, a Cross, is part of the leading class and Callum is a Nought: white and deprived of opportunity in high places. Their issues spare little thought as they grow together, but all of that changes when they wise up to the things that make them different. It’s very Romeo and Juliet-esque, but in a bold and modern adaptation that will engage younger audiences.

Their families make it easy for them to strive to do better with their lives. Sephy’s mum is a drunk and her dad is a corrupt politician who is keen to control anyone to maintain the status quo of Cross supremacy. Callum’s family members are part of a militant group of Noughts who perform acts of terrorism against the Crosses.

With so much political drive and tension underpinning this production, executing Sephy and Callum’s relationship is crucial. Effie Ansah and James Arden portray harrowing performances with pure genius. Ansah was a breath of fresh air and highly engaging in their stage presence.

She embodies all the frustrations and emotions within her character with grit. James Arden is strong from the beginning as the young teenager Callum is. His relationships with the people around him are extremely fundamental in his performance and journey in this story, and it's portrayed well.

As well as exploring hard-hitting social issues, there is also a touch on mental health in this piece which feels as poignant.

Noughts and Crosses is presented by a small cast of 10 who manage to capture the whole pace of this production exactly how you’d expect them. There is no denying that they provide authentic relationships with one another and a detailed portrayal of their input into the overall storytelling. Some of them play multiple characters – fleeting through the shoes of different characters within minutes of a scene change.

Simon Kenny’s design fits like a glove in a small, intimate space. The design is innovative and works well with how this play transitions. With the help of Ben Cowens's lighting, scenes are lifted and presented in a way that keeps you hooked to the action that is unfolding on the stage. There are not a lot of props needed for this production, but it still manages to feel full of life throughout.

As mentioned, this story aligns very closely with that of Romeo and Juliet – resulting in a fantastic adaptation for Pilot Theatre. Fans of the TV series may feel like a lot of the surrounding themes are lost among the focus on the star-crossed lovers. However, I feel this would not be the case in a larger scaled presentation of this show.

Although this production may feel like it's mainly marketed heavily at school groups, there is still something about this story which will engage audiences of all ages.

Noughts and Crosses was a really superb, powerful piece of theatre.

The UK tour completed its run at Curve on 1 April 2023.