Noughts & Crosses – Northern Stage, Newcastle

Writer: Malorie Blackman

Adaptor: Sabrina Mahfouz

Director: Esther Richardson

A love story across the divide is hard to resist, from Romeo and Juliet to West Side Story, to Malorie Blackman’s famous novel of 25 years ago – Noughts & Crosses.

Northern Stage’s young audience last night were entranced by Sabrina Mahfouz’s stage adaptation, which appears on the GCSE drama syllabus. There were collective intakes of breath as the F-word was uttered and ripples of excitement as star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum declared their feelings with a swift and passionate kiss.

A lot happens from the moment we enter the world of the play where two races, the Noughts and the Crosses, exist. One holds all the power and privilege – played by a cast of black actors, while the other, played by white actors, has few rights and fewer chances. The racism highlighted is sadly all too familiar and shocking despite being set in an imaginary world.

The book was written for young adults but is a story for all. It is beautifully portrayed by the ensemble from Pilot Theatre who first commissioned the drama 10 years ago and revive it now in association with Northern Stage.

The use of language is fluent and often poetic and its two-hour running time largely speeds by.

Brianna Douglas plays Sephy, who is just 13 at the outset, and convincingly portrays her character’s innocence and journey to adulthood. Her childhood friendship with Callum, played by Lewis Tidy, and their developing romance is totally believable. The pair don’t put a foot wrong.

They are supported by a talented cast who play multiple parts as the action moves from a house to a school, a courtroom, prison, shopping centre and more. Chris Jack as the ambitious father and politician is terrifying. 

The tension is palpable as individuals and families succumb to the pressures of their existence and there are moments of shock and horror as well as joy and sadness.

A bare-looking red set reveals cupboards, doors and openings and becomes the home to TV screens broadcasting news bulletins as the families hit the politics and crime headlines. Designer Simon Kenny also enabled its scarlet squares to be opaque, see-through or even suddenly illuminated with neon.

The play lays bare the crushing effects of racism, inequality and the abuse of power and is not an easy watch. It incorporates suicide and capital punishment along with other challenging themes including alcoholism and sexual violence, and is recommended not suitable for under 12s.

However, it is an essential watch that feels more relevant than ever.

Runs until 7th March 2026, before touring