Noughts & Crosses

‘Dominic Cooke’s excellent adaptation… a dark, politically unsentimentalised story about teenage love transcending the barriers in a deeply divided society… heart-rending’

* Independent *

‘A modern Romeo and Juliet that remains one of the most striking tales written for teenagers… damningly relevant’

* Guardian *

‘Dominic Cooke’s dramatisation is a real hard hitter… a production that wields considerable power… commendably unwilling to pull punches… It’s roaringly theatrical… As family-friendly shows go, this is no easy watch, but it’s thought-provoking and ambitious. The teenagers sitting near me were spellbound, and out of their seats, roaring with approval’

* WhatsOnStage *

‘Timely and necessary’

* Evening Standard *

‘Moving and powerful… an action-packed take, with swift storytelling neatly compressing the plot of Blackman’s seminal novel… a story that remains unflinching in its message’

* London Theatre *

‘Dominic Cooke has worked magic to translate Blackman’s story for the stage. The result is a very real and often raw portrayal of all the themes from the novel, played out in a way that feels far more believable than a dystopian story should allow… jaw-droppingly brilliant… a resounding success’

* All That Dazzles *

‘A bold, ambitious piece of theatre… a show that sticks with you long after its dramatic end’

* Broadway World *

‘Powerfully raw and heartbreakingly relevant’

* Theatre & Tonic *

Malorie Blackman, OBE, is a distinguished author, well known for her works for children and young adults. She was Children’s Laureate 2013-15.

Dominic Cooke is an acclaimed theatre director and the incoming Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre, London, from 2026. He was Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre, 2007-13.

Cooke is the author of plays including Arabian Nights (Young Vic, London, 1998; revised version for the Royal Shakespeare Company, 2009), an adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses (RSC, 2007) and a version of Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession (West End, 2025).

On screen, he has directed two features films, On Chesil Beach (2017) and The Courier (2020), as well as three episodes of The Hollow Crown for television.

He was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services to drama.

Author photo by Alamy