Based on the 2001 novel by Malorie Blackman, Noughts & Crosses is the first in the series of six books based in an alternative 21st-century parallel universe Britain. Noughts & Crosses was also adapted into a BBC series in 2020, and to date there have been two series (I have watched and enjoyed the first series, and the second is on my watch list).
The first theatre adaption of Noughts & Crosses was back in April 2008, it was adapted and directed for the Royal Shakespeare Company and starred Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Bodyguard) as Callum, and Ony Uhiara (The Bill) as Sephy, however, was retitled Black & White. It toured the UK from February to April 2008.
And since 2019 the new stage version, adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz and directed by Esther Richardson for Pilot Theatre has been touring the UK, I saw the show at the Theatre Royal Brighton last night where it stays until Saturday 25th February 2023, and thought it was fantastic.
The play follows the story of Sephy a privileged “Cross” and daughter of politician Kamal Hadley and Callum a “Nought” whose mum Meggie played by Emma Keele used to be the Hadley’s housekeeper when Sephy and Callum were children but is now jobless after falling out with the Hadley’s.
Nought and Crosses cannot be friends, however Sephy and Callum have been friends from a young age due to there mothers connection and ultimately fall in love, however their desire to be together threatens family loyalties.
It’s probably worth explaining the difference between Noughts and Crosses now, if you haven’t heard the story before, so it makes a little more sense. Crosses are the ruling class (have the best jobs, attend the best schools etc.) and noughts struggle against prejudice, poverty, and low status.
Effie Ansah plays the role of Sephy in her first leading role and was fantastic. The change in acting style form part one where Sephy is 14 years old, to part two where Sephy is now 17 was seamless, you could tell she had grown up and even looked different. I also enjoyed the little snippets of humour throughout the play which I enjoyed, as the story and subjects discussed were at times quite challenging.
The role of Callum is played by James Arden again in his first leading role and I was so impressed. Callum’s desire to be with Sephy sparks a growing political crisis with his father Ryan played by Dan Copeland and his brother Jude played by Nathaniel McCloskey. Both actors I thought portrayed their roles of Liberation Militia members perfectly, each giving so much emotion.
The Hadley’s are made up of Sephy or Persephone to her mother, Minerva the older sister played by Abiola Efunshile, Jasmine the mother played by Amie Buhari and Kamal the father played by Daniel Norford. Jasmine and Kamal’s relationship has broken down, neither of them trust each other and Kamal spends more time at work than he does with his own family, which leads Jasmine to find solace with the bottle.
The first half of the play was pretty long, but not because I was clock watching, it just was. I enjoyed every minute of the play, it was thought provoking and at times very sad to see segregation and division between parties, and the effects it has on others.
One particular scene I thought was visually stunning was the café scene in the mall, but I wont give too much away as to what happened as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you, but my hat goes off to the lighting design by Ben Cowens, music and sound by Arun Ghosh & Xana and video design by Ian William Galloway.
Staging was so simple, yet so effective and very easy to follow. Costume and set design is very different to the BBC series, so bear this in mind if you’re thinking it’s going to be identical to the BBC show.
The play has made me want to watch the second series of the BBC show, and has also made me order the books to see what the characters did next!
WARNING: the performance contains, Haze, Strobe, Loud Noises, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, Terrorism, Capital Punishment, References to Suicide and Mild Language.
Noughts & Crosses is at Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday 25th February 2023 with shows every evening at 7:45pm and matinees on Thurs & Sat 15th at 2.00pm. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.