Theatre Royal, York – until 24th September 2022
Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough
4****
Based on the young adult novel by Malorie Blackman, Noughts and Crosses is an emotional, thought-provoking play with the fight against prejudice at its centre. Black people (Crosses) are the ruling class where white people (Noughts) have come from a background of slavery and are still seen as lower class. The roles of history are reversed and this is a fascinating approach to the prejudice which people face now, in the past and in the story.
Callum (James Arden) is a Nought and has been best friends with Sephy (Effie Ansah) a Cross since he was a child. Their friendship and blossoming romance is forbidden by society, preventing them being together. When people begin to fight for Nought rights and the Home Secretary, Kamal (Chris Jack), Sephy’s father announces that some Noughts are able to attend Cross schools Sephy is thrilled. Callum gets a scholarship to Sephy’s school and both are excited for the doors this may open. However, things are not simple and prejudice is rife. Things go from bad to worse for Callum and Sephy and there is a great deal of heartbreak. Callum and Sephy both want to fight for equality in their own way, Callum through action and Sephy through education but will either of them see results?
The cast have a difficult job with the majority playing more than one character, however they do it effortlessly and the two leads are excellent, their chemistry is clear and their doomed Romeo and Juliet style love is something the whole audience is rooting for. This play is an excellent portrayal of how prejudice can affect and ruin lives and how hard it can be for people to gain deserved equality. Adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz and brought to stage by Pilot Theatre this play will leave you thinking of all the injustices people have faced and still face today. Even the multiple groups of school children present were engrossed throughout, a definite sign of a good play.