Noughts and Crosses at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Review
Corinna Brown and the cast of Noughts & Crosses. Photo by Manuel Harlan
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of humanity is how we can divide ourselves into us vs them. It’s a story often retold or rich versus poor, “haves and have nots”, country vs country, and in this case, noughts vs crosses. Malorie Blackman’s original novel, published in 2001, is a global mega seller that has been retold in TV and theatrical format, and in this case, this story has been adapted into a play by Dominic Cooke and directed by Tinuke Craig. This is a powerful and deeply emotive adaptation that will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation.
The storyline stays true to the novel, preserving most of its key lines and plot twists with minimal changes, but just enough originality to keep even the most devoted fans hooked. Set in a reversed-apartheid version of 21st-century Britain, it portrays a society where the impoverished Noughts (white people) are segregated and oppressed by the wealthy Crosses (Black people). Without many spoilers, this is a tale of innocent star-crossed children torn apart by hatred, institutionalised racism, and the terrible lengths people will go to fight for their beliefs. With a running time of two and a half hours, it is tightly paced and powerfully taut throughout, and does not let the audience go the entire time. It is a tragic tale that is often echoed in our history, and with the current political climate across the world feels more vital, necessary, and relevant than ever to see. This is best embodied in the star-crossed lovers at the heart of the story: Persephone—known as Sephy—the Cross daughter of the deputy prime minister, and Callum, the Nought son of her family’s housekeeper. Sephy’s role mirrors her mythological namesake, a chthonic goddess tied to cycles of change and rebirth. Her presence brings a powerful, almost prophetic sense of disruption to the world around her, made all the more poignant by her youthful innocence.
The actors in this production are truly magnificent. Corinna Brown as Sephy is a wide-eyed ingenue with fierce love for her friends and a deep desire to fight against the system. Noah Valentine as Callum Magregor is a vulnerable and caring boy with a strong sense of justice who is pushed by the unfair system into devastating decisions and consequences. They are sweetly sincere and beautifully vulnerable as the star-crossed couple, and their incredible acting together is what transcends this story into five stars. They have a powerful supporting cast who act as a silent jury of 12 throughout each scene, further reinforcing the tragic nature of their relationship will turn into. The Magregor family is beautifully portrayed by Alec Boaden, Kate Kordel, Richard Riddell, and Channel Waddock. Their pain and fierce anger shapes most of the negative consequences for the story. This is reflected in the restrained but no less powerful performances of the political Hadley family portrayed by Habib Nasib Nader, Jessica Lauder, and Amanda Bright. Ben Skym, Helena Pipe, Yolanda Ovide, Wela Mbusi, Eddie Elliot, Elle Davies, Michael Cuisick, Halle Brown were fantastic in multiple roles to support the rest of the cast and vividly brought the tale to life. Emma Jane Goodwin was subtle brilliance as the secretly supporting housekeeper, much like Nurse in the original Romeo and Juliet tale.
The set is a stark industrial space designed by Colin Richmond is a powerful reminder of the almost Orwellian political system that operates in this story, which distills segregation and racism into its highly institutionalised forms. Set under the severe sunset at Regents Open Air Park Theatre, there is a stark and palpable vulnerability for cast and audience alike. The excellent sound design (Max Pappenheim), especially in the action scenes, and the rugged industrial lighting effects by Joshua Pharoa magnify this effect to a determined level.
This clear divide is also cleverly echoed in the relaxed and tattered clothing for the Noughts and beautifully tailored suits and designer dresses for the Crosses. The clear attention to detail and subtle use of tone almost makes this adaptation feel Shakespearean in its tangible effect on the audience.
This story remains as powerfully raw and heartbreakingly relevant as ever. This is a modern classic reborn on stage, and the perfect play to take your teenager to expand their mind or revisit a classic tale from your childhood nostalgia. It is also a prolifically profound and inspired production which will linger in your mind for a long time to come. If you enjoy powerful dystopian tales, profound themes, terrific actors, and beautiful productions, then this is the show for you.
Noughts and Crosses plays at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 26 July.
★★★★★
