Noughts and Crosses – The Lowry

Pilot Theatre and Northern Stage have once more brought Sabrina Mahfouz’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s 2001 novel out on tour, having first produced it in 2019.  Set in an alternative 21st century Britain, called Albion in the books, there is fairly strict segregation.  The crosses (dark-skinned people) are in control of the country, and the noughts (light-skinned people) are the oppressed and suppressed. 

Jasmine, the wife of the politician and Home Secretary Kamal Hadley, had employed Meggie McGregor as a nanny to her children.  As such her daughter Sephy (Persephone) and Meggie’s son Callum had become friends.  But as the segregation requirements get stricter an interracial friendship is not allowed, and Sephy and Callum’s friendship is forced into secrecy.  Callum gets a place at a crosses school as he is one of the top performing noughts and the pair are once more in each other’s company.  However, Callum’s father Ryan and brother Jude are involved in radical opposition to the Government, and their actions have dramatic consequences.

Blackman creates a dark, dystopian 21st century which is closer to the events of the last few years than comfortable.  With politics in large parts of the world now increasingly trying to divide the suitable and unsuitable of society not only by race but gender and disability, Dystopia doesn’t seem as far away as it should.

Brianna Douglas as Sephy and Lewis Tidy as Callum carry the majority of the show between them.  Both are excellent, as children, teenagers and eventually young adults.  Douglas’ Sephy is bright, energetic and rather naive of the issues surrounding her friendship with Callum, while Tidy’s Callum is more reserved, knowing he is crossing boundaries and comes into his own as the young adult who while still in love with Sephy is shaped by events and society.

The rest of the cast while having a principal role also ensemble as the myriad of other characters involved in the story.  Especially notable are Melody Adeniran as Minnie (Sephy’s sister) and Tom Coleman as Jude. Director Esther Richardson makes sure the production moves along and shows all the shades of grey in a society so extreme.  Sabrina Mahfouz’s script is excellent, managing to compact an entire book into two and a half hours while still bringing out the important points. 

Simon Kenny’s set is simplistic but very striking with multiple red squares forming the abstract space for all events and providing the surface for the news broadcasts.  Basic furniture is used to create rooms and areas.  The differences between noughts and crosses is also emphasised in the costumes with the crosses being more expensively dressed than the noughts.

Noughts and Crosses is not an easy evening’s entertainment.  The horrific racism shown is difficult to watch, particularly in the current climate.  However, the issues raised and scrutinised are as important today as they were twenty-five years ago, and making young people more aware and more willing to stand up to any form of discrimination can only be a positive move.  Noughts and Crosses stands proudly as a voice for equality as well as being an excellent play.  For both reasons it is well worth seeing.

Reviewer: Helen Jones

Reviewed 21st April 2026

North West End UK Rating: