Review: Small Island at The Rep Theatre, Birmingham

★★★★★

Based on Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel, Small Island is a play adapted for stage by Helen Edmundson, and directed by Matthew Xia. Taking audiences on a journey from Jamaica to 1940s London, the production is an exploration of empire and the Windrush generation.

A beautiful story of belonging and identity, hope and dreams, set to the harsh realities of post-war Britain fraught with racial tensions, the play centres four unforgettable characters; “Hortense and Gilbert, determined Jamaican migrants in search of belonging and respect; Queenie, an Englishwoman who defies convention; and Bernard, her husband, struggling with change. Together, they discover love across culture, colour and class – and the fragile hope of a shared future.”

 The casting brings to life these characters in all their raw emotions and determination; starring Anna Chrichlow as Hortense, Daniel Ward as Gilbert, Bronté Barbe as Queenie and Mark Arends as Bernard. They are joined by Paul Hawkyard as the shell-shocked but loveable Arthur, Rhys Stephenson as Jamaican RAF personnel, Michael, and Mara Allen, Rosemary Boyle, Zoe Lambert, Jordan Laviniere, Marcia Mantack, André Squire, Everal A Walsh, Toby Webster, and Phil Yarrow.

A production that spans decades and continents, the play begins in pre-war Jamaica and during the the story it shifts to Britain during the war, and then finally sets sail on HMS Windrush to explore life in Britain post-war. As London rebuilds, so relationships and connections are built too.

To aid this shifting of location and time, Simon Kenny’s incredible set design makes full use of The Rep’s space with pieces that are not only wheeled in but also lifted in and out to create new scenes in a matter of moments. Kenny’s greatest feat though is the immense set design for the second act of the play which makes use of a rotating stage at the centre, taking audiences back and forth from the lives of Hortense and Gilbert, to Queenie.

Kenny’s costume design, alongside hair and make-up (Robyn Gilder and Emerald Yun) are also perfectly emblematic of the period, drawing audiences into the past. While digital visuals by Video Designer Gino Ricardo Green give further insight into historical touch stones that drive the narrative.

Small Island is a vast production, scaling a mountain of topics and issues including colonialism and empire, racism and colourism, the impacts of war, and the struggles of fighting against the weight of tradition, and religious confines. Highlighting the often-overlooked contribution of the West Indies and other Commonwealth countries’ during the war, the play provides a snapshot of Britain at a specific point in history that has since echoed through the decades to modern-day; reflecting the uncomfortable correlations of our contemporary society.

As well as delving into the darker realities though, Small Island is laced with well-written humour that brings a further layer of warmth to the production. The strong female leads of Anna Chrichlow as Hortense and Bronté Barbe as Queenie, in particular, use comedy to captivate as they speak directly to the audience, sharing their inner-most thoughts and feelings.

Small Island is Presented by Birmingham Rep, Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse, in association with Actors Touring Company. With a running time of 3hrs 20 mins (including interval), which spans some 560 pages of Levy’s novel this is a lengthy production. However, no moment seems to fall flat with a plot that weaves diverse lives together, offers shocking revelations and twists, and moments of intense action bought to life by Fight Director Kev McCurdy, juxtaposed with deeply intimate scenes (Asha Jennings-Grant).

Guided by vivid, emotional, and touching performances that draw you deep into connections, Small Island is a story that shines a light on the power of connection, unity, and hope.

Small Island plays at Birmingham Rep until Saturday 18^th April. Tickets are on sale now including special offers for 16-25s, Teens Go Free, and Multi-buy (check T&Cs to find out more.)

This review is written following a press invite to the show.