Breathing fresh air with Halle Brown and Noughts & Crosses

In 2001 Black British author Malorie Blackman, published the first novel in what would become a six-part book series, known as Noughts and Crosses. 

The first book in the series chronicles the story of an alternative history, post slavery, where segregation exists within Albion (Britain) and those with darker skin have control over those with fairer skin. We meet Sephy and Callum, two young people grappling with being from vastly different backgrounds and upbringings. 

Noughts and Crosses has stood the test of time in terms of its ability to be staged and still feel fresh and its latest stage adaptation at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is no different. As the sun sets the intimate cast including Halle Brown take to the stage to bring this tale to life. 

“I think it just highlights a lot of things that people don't really see. Because we've been trained not to see things from the perspective of the oppressed, we've been trained to not look at it, to not be able to identify it, because if we were able to identify [those] things, the people in power wouldn't have that power.” Brown expands on what she feels Noughts and Crosses hopes to uncover within society. 

(L to R) Halle Brown, Corinna Brown and Helena Pipe

Brown plays dual roles within this intimate cast, the first being Lola, a bully at the school attended by Sephy and Callum and later on she plays Sephy’s fathers’ new girlfriend. 

Both roles require a level of power, intimidation, and a level of honesty; something which Brown embraced in the safety of the rehearsal room. In a production which so heavily focuses on race, it was important that the cast felt “comfortable” in the room and that difficult conversations were made a priority so that the work could thrive on the stage. 

“It was such a priority at the beginning of the process, before we got into anything or started anything, that we really dissected what race is, what privilege is… There weren't any, “Oh yeah, but we can't talk about this, because it might make some people uncomfortable”. It was like, This is what this is. This is how white people experience privilege. This is how black people might find struggles in this way. And because of that, I felt like I didn't have to apologise for who I am. And it brought a lot of people together.”

The characters Brown plays are distinctly different, their similarities start and end with them both being black women. “I looked at her character as I was like, oh god, she's a mean girl, but I think in her mind, like she's being kind. She's like, this is not what you do. I'm trying to help you out.” Brown expands on tapping into playing the character of Lola. 

Lola bullies Sephy for being friends with Callum. Things even get physical which lands Sephy on bed rest and furthers her already tumultuous relationship with her white friend. This is carefully choreographed on the stage, the altercation may have been staged but every punch and kick speaks to more than the physical, it speaks the lesson of complying with the masses or being ostracised. 

The work is physical and intense but Brown has found a way to cut through the noise with crocheting and “making music”. She also realises the beauty of being a Creative whether she’s working a “creative” job or stacking shelves between jobs. 

“I think it's really good to just find things that just kind of bring you joy outside of the work, just so that not all every single part of you is connected to it. You're still an artist, even if working in Sainsbury's. I always have to tell myself, “I'm an actor when I'm in a job and I'm an actor, if I'm a cashier at Sainsbury's.””

Brown reinforces a sentiment that all creatives should live by, the work lives within you whether you’re creating in that moment or not. 

As for future projects, “I’d love to do some Shakespere. I’m very open at the moment to whatever comes by.” 

Noughts and Crosses at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre ran from 28 June to Saturday 26 July.