Noughts and Crosses at Lyceum Theatre Sheffield Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Latesha Brown
There is something quite surreal about seeing a story brought to life in a theatre setting and Noughts & Crosses was definitely no exception to this. It is a story inspired by Romeo and Juliet, written by British author Malorie Blackman, adapted for the stage by Sabrina Mahfouz, and directed by Esther Richardson. Originally published as a novel in 2001, it is the first in Blackman’s six book speculative fiction series for young adults. It was also adapted for TV in 2020 into the BBC One dystopian television series- with both the TV adaptation and this theatre production focusing specifically on Noughts & Crosses, arguably the most iconic instalment of the wider series.
Noughts & Crosses and the journey of the characters we meet are set within an alternative version of 21st-century Britain shaped by racial division and systemic inequality and this live format really gives the story an intensity that feels very different from both the novels and television adaptation. The themes of the production felt disturbingly current, as the production explores racism, social division, radicalisation, power and generational trauma. By reversing racial power structures, Blackman forces readers and audiences alike to confront prejudice from a different perspective, and seeing that explored live on stage makes the discomfort even sharper.
However, at its core, Noughts & Crosses is still a story about forbidden love, and that emotional thread is what makes the production so heartbreaking. It constantly reminds you what prejudice destroys on an individual level as well as a societal one, and how quickly innocence is reshaped by the world around it. It was so easy and natural to develop a strong sense of attachment to Sephy and Callum, as their relationship felt passionate, hopeful, and painfully fragile all at once. Brianna Douglas as Sephy and Lewis Tidy as Callum delivered performances that were not only exceptional but excellently captured the quiet intensity of two young people trying to hold on to something pure in a world determined to pull them apart. Their portrayal had a power and nuance that stayed with you long after the scene shifted, grounding the entire production in something human, intimate, and devastatingly real. These quieter moments between them were just as impactful as the larger dramatic scenes, and the rest of the cast used movement effortlessly to change sets and moved seamlessly between multiple characters (some of the cast playing 2-3 different roles as the ensemble) to create an environment that pulls you in, never letting you forget the humanity underneath the politics and violence within some scenes.
The stage design made the atmosphere feel heavy, which speaks to how entwined and connected you could become whilst watching the story unfolding on the stage, allowing for the performances to remain central, without feeling overly complicated or distracting. Lighting and sound were also used very effectively to build tension throughout, and there was a constant sense of momentum running through the production and an underlying feeling of unease that never fully disappeared. The Lyceum Theatre is a comfortable venue, and its traditional layout preserves much of the theatre’s classic charm. Seat choice can make a noticeable difference to your view, so I would recommend choosing a slightly higher level for the clearest visibility. However, there is dedicated accessible seating available, ensuring that everyone can choose an option that best supports their comfort and needs.
Whether you are already familiar with Blackman’s work or experiencing this story for the first time, this production offers something emotionally affecting and is extremely hard hitting in what it explores. The production carries a strong sense of nostalgia throughout whilst still feeling fresh and relevant, and it serves as both a compelling love story and a difficult but important exploration of injustice and division. There are questions around fear, radicalisation and who society chooses to protect, which sadly still feels painfully recognisable today, giving the story weight that lingers long after the performance ends. More than twenty years since the original novel was published, Noughts & Crosses still feels capable of provoking conversation and discomfort in all the right ways. It is thought-provoking and genuinely the kind of theatre that feels powerful long after you leave the auditorium.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets range from £15 to £47.50.
Noughts & Crosses is on at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 May 2026. For more information or to book tickets at the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield, visit: https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/noughts-and-crosses or call the Box Office on: 0114 249 6000.