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Noughts & Crosses

Malorie Blackman’s acclaimed Noughts & Crosses takes to the stage

Pilot Theatre present the premiere of Sabrina Mahfouz’s new adaption of Malorie Blackman’s acclaimed and award-winning novel ‘Noughts and Crosses’ at The Lowry Tue 26 February – Sat 2 March.

Told from the perspectives of two teenagers, Noughts & Crosses is a captivating love story set in a volatile, racially segregated society and explores the powerful themes of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world.

‘Noughts and Crosses’ follows Pilot Theatre’s critically acclaimed ‘Brighton Rock’ which was part of The Lowry’s Week 53 festival in 2018. Sabrina Mahfouz’s exciting new adaptation of the young adult novel of first love in a dangerous fictional dystopia comes to The Lowry Tue 26 February – Sat 2 March.

Sephy and Callum sit together on a beach. They are in love. Sephy is a Cross and Callum is a Nought. Between Noughts and Crosses there are racial and social divides. A segregated society teeters on a volatile knife edge.

Sabrina Mahfouz’s new adaptation is based on Malorie Blackman’s first book in the ‘Noughts & Crosses’ series for young adults, which has won the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Fantastic Fiction Award among other accolades. A new BBC adaptation and the fifth in Blackman’s series of ‘Noughts & Crosses’ are both due to come out later this year.

‘Noughts & Crosses’ exciting young cast will be led by Heather Agyepong and Billy Harris playing the roles of Sephy and Callum. Heather Agyepong’s theatre credits include Girls (Talawa Theatre, High Tide & Martha Rose Wilson Prod.); So Many Reasons (Fuel Theatre & Ovalhouse Theatre) and Sankara (Next Up Talent; National Theatre Studio). Heather is an acclaimed visual artist, actor and maker. Last year she was nominated for the 2018 South Bank Sky Arts Breakthrough Award. Billy Harris’ theatre credits include Boots On The Ground (Tangled Feet) and 13 (Tobacco Factory Theatre). Further casting will be announced soon.

Malorie Blackman said about the production; “I’m thrilled that Noughts & Crosses is being adapted for the stage by Sabrina and produced by Pilot Theatre and a talented consortium of theatre makers whose aim it is to develop theatre for younger audiences.”

Sabrina Mahfouz is a British Egyptian poet, playwright, performer and writer from South London, England. Her recent plays have included ‘Offside’ (co-written with Hollie McNish); ‘With a little bit of luck’ (Paines Plough) and she has also published work includes poetry, plays and contributions to several anthologies.

‘Noughts & Crosses’ will be the first co-production between Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Mercury Theatre, Colchester and York Theatre Royal who have recently formed a new partnership to develop theatre for younger audiences.

Listings Information
Noughts and Crosses
Dates: Tue 26 February – Sat 2 March
Time: 7pm (Exc Wed 27). 2pm – Thu & Sat. 6pm – Wed.
Tickets: £19.50 – £21.50. Conc £2 off.