Context & History
Systemic Racism, The RSC, and Epic Theatre
The Contextual Trap
Malorie Blackman wrote the novel in 2001, but Dominic Cooke adapted it for the stage in 2007. Connect Blackman’s reversed racial hierarchy to the practical choices in Cooke’s adaptation. Story-theatre techniques are one useful lens, but any response should distinguish textual evidence from a chosen production interpretation.
Interactive: The Contextual Timeline
Click the eras below to see how history and theatrical theory shaped the RSC's stage design.
1930s: Bertolt Brecht & Epic Theatre
German practitioner Bertolt Brecht developed 'Epic Theatre' to force audiences to think objectively about political issues, rather than just feeling emotional sympathy. He wanted the audience to remain aware they were watching a play so they would judge the actions of the characters critically.
The Theatrical Influences
Malorie Blackman
Author & Creator
Flipping the World Upside Down
Blackman created a world where dark-skinned "Crosses" hold all the power and wealth, while light-skinned "Noughts" are treated as second-class citizens. This "flipped" perspective forces audiences to recognize the absurdity and cruelty of racial prejudice.
The Catalyst
She stated she wrote the book because of the "burning anger I felt regarding the death of Stephen Lawrence and the subsequent mishandling of the police inquiry." The injustice faced by Callum's family directly reflects this real-world institutional racism.
Dominic Cooke
Royal Shakespeare Company
Minimalism
Cooke stripped away the set completely. He relied on the actors to create the environment using multi-purpose props like wooden crates and scaffolding. This ensures the audience's focus is entirely on the political dialogue and the relationships, not the scenery.
Story Theatre
To cover the massive timeframe of the novel, Cooke used a Story Theatre approach. Characters frequently step out of the action to become Narrators, directly addressing the audience to rapidly advance the plot and share their internal, unspoken thoughts.