Noughts & Crosses in the Classroom
- Kevin
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
New Educational Pack Launch
Explore the Power of Noughts & Crosses with your students
We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new educational resource pack for Noughts & Crosses – Dominic Cooke's dynamic stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman's groundbreaking novel. This powerful play takes to The Lantern's stage in June, presented by our in-house company, the Dilys Guite Players, in collaboration with Utopia Theatre.
Now, teachers and students can delve deeper into the story's themes and theatrical techniques with a free downloadable classroom companion designed to inspire discussion, creativity, and reflection.
Why Noughts & Crosses?
Dominic Cooke's adaptation brings Blackman's novel's emotional weight and urgent questions to life with bold, stripped-back theatricality. By removing spectacle and focusing on the actors and their storytelling, the play becomes both intimate and expansive; it speaks directly to young people, and it doesn't let go.
The story flips the world we know on its head, challenging audiences to confront inequality, identity, and the consequences of division. The classroom offers rich opportunities to explore not just what's happening on stage but why.
What's in the Pack?
This engaging resource includes:
A breakdown of the Story Theatre techniques used in the production
Contextual discussions around race, privilege, and systemic injustice within a fictional dystopia
Group-based activities including character hot-seating, debate starters, and devised performance prompts
Writing and discussion exercises to spark critical thinking and creative responses
Whether you're preparing to see the production or exploring the text in class, this pack provides thoughtful material to help students connect with the play and its powerful themes.
Spotlight on Story Theatre
At the heart of this production is the use of Story Theatre – a bold and highly physical performance style where actors shift between characters and narrators, and the action is driven by imagination and ensemble work rather than elaborate scenery.
For schools, Story Theatre offers exciting opportunities:
It places students at the centre of storytelling
Encourages collaborative creativity
Shows how powerful theatre can be created with minimal resources
We're proud to champion this style in Noughts & Crosses, and the pack provides guidance on how it's used throughout the production.
Bring Your Class to The Lantern
Seeing this production live is a powerful experience, and we welcome school bookings. Group tickets can be booked directly via TicketSource or by emailing boxoffice@lanterntheatre.org.uk.
Block bookings and group d#iscounts are available when booking ten or more tickets in one transaction. These can be booked online or by emailing us.
Join the Conversation
Noughts & Crosses is a story that asks big questions. With our new education pack, you can bring those questions into your classroom in a thoughtful, creative, and accessible way.
Download the pack today, and let your students engage with the themes, the characters, and the storytelling that make this play such an unforgettable experience.
Let's empower young people to think, create, and imagine – together.
📘 Download the Educational Pack here
🎟️ School bookings are available now via TicketSource or by emailing boxoffice@lanterntheatre.org.uk
The eductation park works best when you have copies of the script to accompany it. These can be ordered directly from Nick Hern Books.