Description

An electrifying, bittersweet love story with echoes of Romeo and Juliet, set in a society divided by racial bigotry and a world rocked by terrorism. Adapted from Malorie Blackman’s best-selling novels.

Sephy (a Cross) is the daughter of the Deputy Prime Minister. Callum is the son of a Nought agitator. United by a shared sense of injustice as children, and separated by intolerance as they grow up, their desire to be together begins to eclipse all family loyalty – sparking a political crisis of unimaginable proportions.

‘I wanted to turn society as we know it on its head, with new names for the major divisions, i.e. Noughts (the underclass) and Crosses (the majority, ruling society)’ – Malorie Blackman

Dominic Cooke’s adaptation of Noughts & Crosses was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2007.

Publisher Review

'Dominic Cooke's excellent adaptation... a dark, politically unsentimentalised story about teenage love transcending the barriers in a deeply divided society... heart-rending' * Independent * 'A modern Romeo and Juliet that remains one of the most striking tales written for teenagers... damningly relevant' * Guardian * 'Dominic Cooke's dramatisation is a real hard hitter... a production that wields considerable power... commendably unwilling to pull punches... It's roaringly theatrical... As family-friendly shows go, this is no easy watch, but it's thought-provoking and ambitious. The teenagers sitting near me were spellbound, and out of their seats, roaring with approval' * WhatsOnStage * 'Timely and necessary' * Evening Standard * 'Moving and powerful... an action-packed take, with swift storytelling neatly compressing the plot of Blackman's seminal novel... a story that remains unflinching in its message' * London Theatre * 'Dominic Cooke has worked magic to translate Blackman's story for the stage. The result is a very real and often raw portrayal of all the themes from the novel, played out in a way that feels far more believable than a dystopian story should allow... jaw-droppingly brilliant... a resounding success' * All That Dazzles * 'A bold, ambitious piece of theatre... a show that sticks with you long after its dramatic end' * Broadway World * 'Powerfully raw and heartbreakingly relevant' * Theatre & Tonic *