Stream: Small Island
‘Small Island’, Andrea Levy’s Whitbread and Orange prize winning novel of 1974, is an even-handed domestic story set in a period of changing times for England. A ‘tour de force’, it conjures up vividly the era of the 1940’s through the lives of the four protagonists. A passionate account of post-war racism and poverty, told through two couples, one from the Caribbean and another from war-torn north London.
Set on the huge stage of the Olivier with all the problems associated with it, Rufus Norris’ production managed to pull all the elements together nicely. Using the enormous revolve, the numerous trap doors, the ability to fly in elements at will and create different locations through the vast cyclorama, the audience were transported from the cyclones of the Caribbean to the impoverished slums of London. The central characters are key to the story. There is prim and proper Hortense, played by Leah Harvey, whose ambition to teach is smashed when her Jamaican qualifications are not accepted. Queenie, played by Aisling Loftus, is their warm-hearted landlady keen to escape her rural Lincolnshire roots. Gilbert played by Gershwyne Eustache Jnr, who brings Hortense over to the UK, and Bernard, played by Andrew Rothney, Queenie’s husband affected by his experience in the war and unable to accept the burgeoning multi-cultural England he has returned to. The standout performance is Gershwyne’s, who lights up the stage at every opportunity. All the cast give well thought performances and succeed in bringing their characters to life, as did the supporting players. Their domestic stories are played out against the arrival of the Windrush generation and the changing face of Britain. Running three hours and thirty minutes this adaptation by Helen Edmundson manages to recreate Levy’s novel to the letter. The bittersweet ending of the story (I shall not give it away) perfectly encapsulates the complexity of attitudes at the time and is beautifully performed. The large supporting cast fill in all the gaps but essentially it is a small story played out on a small island.
On a personal level I found this performance particularly engaging, having myself produced a specially commissioned play ‘Remember Us’ around the arrival of HMS Windrush at Tilbury Docks, performed on the actual landing stage and arrival hall. A welcome memory of an interesting project which was a joy to develop and research. ‘Small Island’ was a sell-out hit for the National and deservedly so. In these times of unrest, it was perfect timing to remember how difficult times were and the huge benefits for this country of immigration at the time. Both my children were born in the London Hospital Whitechapel and I owe a lot to the Caribbean nurses at that time - even though they did chatter noisily and knit through the night shift! What would we have done without them?
This production is a great watch. Don’t miss it!
