Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK! This time around we’re delving into the politically charged world of Noughts and Crosses, an adaptation of the novel by Malorie Blackman. So let’s get into it!
Disclaimer: We were gifted a pair of tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show.
I’m sure the readers among you would agree that Noughts and Crosses is a landmark novel, and I can honestly say it lands just as powerfully on stage. Malorie Blackman once described her story as an inverted world that exposed the prejudices we often refuse to see, and this production wastes no time at all reminding us how easily social divides can take hold.
At its heart, the story is a Romeo and Juliet-style romance dropped into a world defined by racism and systemic inequality. But don’t expect Shakespearean swooning and poetic longing. This is a love story navigating segregation, social pressure, and a society that has already decided who belongs where.
I remember reading this in school and thinking how I was so pleased that the world Noughts and Crosses depicted was something society was steadily growing out of. But watching it on stage now? It hits differently.
It’s almost baffling to me that references to manipulative media narratives, extremist behaviours, bombings, and deep-rooted xenophobia don’t feel like distant plot devices. In the wake of current events that have dominated headlines, those elements land with a sharpness that is hard to ignore. At times, it felt less like watching a cautionary story and more like watching a mirror being quietly held up to the world outside the theatre doors.
More than ever, Noughts and Crosses feels like a warning. Yes, it’s about racism, but it’s also about what happens when fear is exploited, when power goes unchecked, and when social divides are allowed to widen until they become impossible to bridge. It’s uncomfortable in places, but very intentionally so.
Now, let’s talk staging because this production proves you don’t need a truckload of scenery to create a world. The set design is beautifully minimal. There are no elaborate scene changes or dominating scenery, just a carefully considered space that lets the storytelling breathe. Lighting and sound do a lot of the heavy lifting, and the result is a production that feels focused rather than flashy. The small TV screens scattered across the backdrop add an extra layer of realism, helping to ground the story and draw the audience further into the world of the play.
The small cast also deserves credit. With only a handful of performers carrying such a weighty narrative, the production relies heavily on strong performances and it delivers. Even when actors switch between characters, there is never any confusion. Each entrance feels distinct, with clear changes in personality, energy and mannerisms that make it immediately obvious that a different character has stepped onto the stage.
Accessibility
It’s also worth highlighting the effort Northern Stage makes to ensure the show is accessible to as many audiences as possible. For deaf audiences, there are BSL-interpreted and captioned performances, alongside an infra-red hearing system and induction loop coverage throughout the venue to support those who use hearing aids.
For blind and partially sighted audience members, audio-described performances are scheduled, and these are paired with touch tours before the show, allowing audience members to explore the set and key props ahead of the performance to help build a clearer picture of the world on stage.
The theatre itself is fully accessible, with step-free access, lifts to all areas, wheelchair spaces and accessible facilities, as well as welcome provisions for guide and assistance dogs.
It’s always encouraging to see a theatre not just stage powerful stories, but also work to make sure more people are able to experience them.
That said, the production does feature several loud, sudden noises along with bright, flashing lights. If you’re sensitive to either, it’s worth keeping that in mind when booking.
Value for Money
Tickets for Noughts & Crosses at Northern Stage start from £12, making it one of the more accessible theatre outings you’ll find for a production of this scale. With a runtime of around two hours including the interval, it offers a focused and emotionally packed evening of theatre. Considering the strength of the performances, the thoughtful staging, and the relevance of the story, it feels like excellent value.
Have Your Say
Have you seen Nought and Crosses? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Jonathan Harper