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Royal Shakespeare Company
Noughts & Crosses
From the novel by Malorie Blackman
Adapted and directed by Dominic Cooke
Hackney Empire
1 - 5 April, 2008
ary Couzen
A review by Tanith Lindon for EXTRA! EXTRA!
Into the opulent setting of the Hackney Empire comes the R.S.C.’s adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s novel Noughts & Crosses, which follows the story of two young friends caught in the collision between their backgrounds.
The RSC’s staging of Noughts & Crosses is physically exciting and energetic, which keeps the story moving along apace. Scene changes are swift and fluid as chairs and dining tables fly in as if in a whirlwind, accompanied by flashes of light and loud bangs that make one think of a slam of a judge’s gabble as he passes judgement. Director Dominic Cooke and Designer Kandis Cook made some creative choices with set, filling a blank space with various elements that were wheeled on to good effect, such as Sephy (played by Ony Uhiara) speaking from a single toilet cubicle, which is then invaded by bullies.
In terms of the performances, they were as polished you would expect from the RSC, and benefited from multiple casting.
Unfortunately, Nought & Crosses has also lost a vital layer of subtlety in it’s translation from book to stage. Author Malorie Blackman’s novel plays with preconceptions through inexplicit branding of social groups, meaning that the characters can be interpreted as representatives of a number of oppressive historical pairings: Black/White, Protestants/Catholics, Immigrants/Natives. However, Noughts & Crosses onstage is literally too black and white. Immediately you see that the theme is rich/poor white/black turned on its head, because it is right there in front of you. I feel that somehow it would have been much more effective if Director Dominic Cooke had chosen to retain some of the anonymity of the cast, allowing audiences to make their own links. Young teens are very capable of independent thought, yet this production hands over everything on a plate. The original premise is great, but the realisation of Nought & Crosses onstage is very obvious.
Physically speaking, the production is interesting to watch, but felt increasingly over-dramatic. Understanding that this is derived from a novel aimed at young teens, it all feels rather patronising. The slams and jolts seem to be repeatedly reminding us that we are watching something serious, that tension is building, that it’s a brutal world …which is all very clear from the dialogue. The odd phrase sticks out that is clearly the voice of an adult trying to use a vague knowledge of teen lingo to connect with the kids – “Old Man Tony? He’s always bonged off his trolley” - which provoked stifled guffaws from the younger members of the audience.
It feels like this production would be more at home in a school hall than the Hackney Empire. Not because it does not look professional (indeed the opposite), but because it feels like something more appropriate to late primary school aged kids than the predominantly white adult audience that packed out the theatre.
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Hackney Empire,
291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
Box Office: +44 (0)20 8985 2424
7.30, Matinee Wed & Sat 2.30
£20, 18, 15.50, 16.50
Weds mat all tickets £12
concs £2 off, HE Members £3 off
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