Brought to the stage with immense gravitas, Daniel Ward as Gilbert and Mark Arends as Bernard captivate in the regional premiere of Small Island at Leeds Playhouse. This adaptation of Andrea Levy's sprawling family saga, directed by Matthew Xia, breathes new life into a story that remains startlingly relevant today.
A Timeless Narrative with Contemporary Echoes
Originally a novel from over two decades ago, telling a tale that begins more than a century in the past, Helen Edmundson's stage adaptation of Small Island proves to have profound resonance in 2026. While Rufus Norris helmed the original National Theatre production in 2019, Xia's approach is refreshingly straightforward, allowing the piece to exist authentically within its historical period without unnecessary modern tinkering.
Historical Setting and Powerful Storytelling
The production meticulously places audiences between the two world wars that devastated Britain, then transports them to 1948 when the HMT Empire Windrush docked near London. Through costumes and deceptively simple set design, the play charts the freezing cold "welcome" that Caribbean immigrants received upon arrival to this small island.
The epic narrative follows Gilbert, a Jamaican who joins the British war effort, and his subsequent return to Britain where he moves in with Queenie, one of the few willing to rent rooms to Caribbean immigrants. When Gilbert's wife Hortense joins him, their lives become further intertwined as Queenie gives birth to a child, creating complex relationships that drive the emotional core of the production.
Unforced Contemporary Relevance
Director Matthew Xia wisely avoids forcing a contemporary lens over the historical narrative because the events of Levy's story echo all too recognizably in today's society. The production confronts audiences with fear of foreign men "putting their hands" on "our" women, distrust of dark-skinned strangers, and casual racism displayed by so-called allies.
In one particularly powerful moment, Gilbert, portrayed with compelling intensity by Daniel Ward, questions an abuser about their perceived superiority, reminding them that white skin merely makes someone white—"that is all." This speech feels as if it could have been lifted directly from modern essayists like Reni Eddo-Lodge or Akala, demonstrating the play's uncanny contemporary relevance.
Stellar Performances and Emotional Resonance
While the racist attitudes on display could make the play feel depressingly familiar—a stark reminder that society hasn't progressed as far as one might hope in the nearly eighty years since Windrush—the promise of new life injects a crucial note of optimism at the climax.
The production features stellar performances across the entire cast, with particularly magnetic work from Anna Crichlow as Hortense and Bronté Barbé as Queenie. Their nuanced portrayals bring depth and humanity to characters navigating complex social landscapes, making this historical drama feel urgently contemporary.
A Necessary History Play for Our Times
Small Island stands as a necessary history play that speaks directly to current societal issues while honoring its historical roots. The production runs at Leeds Playhouse until 28 March, with subsequent engagements at Birmingham Rep from 1-18 April and Nottingham Playhouse from 28 April through 16 May.
This adaptation serves not only as compelling theatre but as an important cultural conversation starter about immigration, racism, and national identity that remains as relevant today as when Andrea Levy first penned her award-winning novel.
