Photo Flash: First Look at the UK Tour of NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

Here's a first look at the production images for the stage premiere by Pilot Theatre in co-production with Derby Theatre of Sabrina Mahfouz's exciting new adaptation of Malorie Blackman's critically acclaimed young adult novel Noughts & Crosses which has its official opening night at Derby Theatre on Tuesday 5 February.

Noughts & Crosses is the first novel in Malorie Blackman's ground-breaking four-part YA series. The book has sold over 800,000 copies and deals with themes of racism and prejudice, set in an alternate 21st-century Britain, one where African nations conquered Europe, and enslaved their white inhabitants. In this world, dark-skinned 'Crosses' are vastly privileged and powerful compared to the 'Nought' underclass over which they rule. Noughts & Crosses charts the deeply forbidden romance between Sephy (a Cross) and Callum (a Nought) - a love affair which had repercussions for their families for generations.

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. From 2019-2022 the consortium will commission and co-produce an original mid-scale production each year. Each production will play in all the consortium venues as well as touring nationally. Schools workshops and outreach projects, along with free digital learning resources, will be available alongside each of the productions.

Noughts & Crosses' exciting cast features: Heather Agyepong, Billy Harris, Doreene Blackstock; Jack Condon; Daniel Copeland; Lisa Howard; Chris Jack and Kimisha Lewis.

Noughts & Crosses will officially open at Derby Theatre and run from the 1-16 February before embarking on a national tour playing at: Theatr Clwyd, Mold; The Lowry, Salford; Mercury Theatre Colchester; Bristol Old Vic; Brighton Theatre Royal; Belgrade Theatre Coventry; York Theatre Royal; Theatre Royal Stratford East and Northern Stage.

For more information on Noughts & Crosses please visit www.pilot-theatre.com and www.derbytheatre.co.uk

Photo Credit: Robert Day